The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-19
fFor the Dispatch.]
p,cnmond and fts Improvements.


Richmond and its Improvements. !
ny NJ. EzEKIEI, SCULPTOR. y
r.; ia with no small degree OF pride and
Measure that have been enabled, before
5iaavinp NV native city, to take survey OF
.hc improvements that have been eftecteu
in Richmond within the last few years--ali
tho more won derftil when we remember the
great difficulties under which not only our
own Immediate surroundings, but the en-.
tire South has labored since the war. Apart
from the fact tina. the business portions OF
the city have been handsomely built up ana
improyed. |. find that an .indomitaDle spirit
OF energy has been ut work, grasping as II
were the future greatness OF our S.ts;
in comprehensive way, ana estaeIsnlng
the germs OF Richmond's future greatness as
the city Of the South. Certain II Is tsa.
there are few il any cities in the Wor@ LOT
which nature has done so much, and am
glad to see that public spirit has oeeh
already directed in the right direction 10.
wards making a proper use OF the great
natural advantages that our city possesses.
This is the only city know OF tohcTe tae
head of navigation and an immense aed.er
,,o,res are so nearly connected, and there IS
no reason for supposing that this fact, COM
bined with the romantic situation OF the
city itself (which in point OF natural beauty
exceeds any city Of its size have ever
secn), should not by proper legislation De-
come one OF the most beautiful and thriving
cities in the world.
In nv own recent drives around the CITY
have been struck, first OF all, by the I'M
movements And proposed improvements IN
the lower part Of the city; and II seems
natural to suppose, IN standing upon INC
newly-acquirei grounds OF Chlmborazo,
that this hill must eventually become a
grand and natural entrance into the heart OF
the city. with the sides OF the hill sloping IN
terraces and broad drives down to the ter
MINIS of the railroad and the wharyes and
the bustling activity OF the future Rockets.
The view from the commanding heights OF
Cbimborazo is very fine and full OF
life, and this plateau, laid of as pub
lie SQUARE and made the terminus OF
Broad street, will add immensely to the
beauty and utility Of the grounds
and to the prosperity Of the city. The va
rious gradings Of streets, and the connec-
ton OF Church Hill with Union Hill by the
filing up Of the unsightly gully that now
divides them, are the most necessary I'M
provementS that are, or have Deen, IN acilve
progress, and an avenue connecting tue
heights OF Union Hill with Broad street
across the gully would naturally enhance
the value 81 the property on all sides OF the
same, and convert now barren ana I'M
wholesome waste into useful and valuable
land.
NV attention having been called to- the
new park grounds around the new reser-
yoir, I was agreeabiy surprised and highly
pleased with the great improvements IN that
part OF the city. Utility has certainly gone
hand in hand with art in this instance. The
grounds around the reservoir are most
tastefully ornamented and laid out so far,
and with the beautiful lake, which adds so
much TO the pleasure and usefulness OF Il
public park, there Is combined, with the
broad avenue OF lindens, nucleus for a
grand public driving-park, which, ii the
improvements are continued ut the same
rate, must make this spot great resort.
Already notice that the inclination OF our
people tend towards taking advantage OF
this resort by the number Of vehicles driY-
ing about. With boat-house and fishing
upon the pretty lake, and the addition
OF museum upon the grounds, or
q building for collections Of art treas
ures, I think that much interest would
be added to the park; and in this
connection would add that there would
be found men willing to add their free-will
offerings to such An object. ], for one,
would, for the establishment OF such mu-
scum, most willingly donate all OF my origi-
nal models in plaster Of my own works as
soon rs such building is projected and
ready to receive them; and have no doubt
that in few years such other contributions
would be made rs to make this feature
useful and instructive one for our people.
Beyond the new reservoir, and between 1t
and the river, l was delighted to find most
beautiful may say romantic-piece OF
ground, not large in extent, but with its
natural hills and fine growth OF holly every
thing that could be desired for beautiful
park. To my regret / notice that large
piece of the fnely-wooded ground had been
recently feled, and l was informed that
this whole stretch OF beautiful ground does
not, as it certainly ought to, belong to the
city. What would the cost OF this little
extension OF grounds be in comparison to
the immense benefits that the city would
derive by having naturally beautiful driv-
in.-park, which could with but very small
expenditures be made to equal for its size
any in the country! What would Berlin
give to have those natural wooded little
hills, the fresh, running waters OF the
James, the unobstructed canal, and the
wonderful view over into Chesterfield?
How much wealth can be added to
the city by an economical eXpendi-
ture in this seeming qualification Of
pleasure? Large expenditures are not
needed here when proper foundation has
been laid for such work. And, after all,
what is it that attracts and retains strangers
in a city but the importance Of its improve
ments held in keeping with its enlargement?
1t is with unboundcd satisfaction that,
whilst sharing lavish hospitality, and en-
loving an Ola Virginia welcome after so
long an absence, have found my home not
only much improved in general appearance,
but giving the assurance that Richmond
has glorious future in store as a COM
mercial centre. What other city has
been able, under the pressure Of such adj
verse circumstances, to assert itself and
maintain its own integrity as Richmond
has? have not seen one. The improve
ments in Richmond are very marked in the
streets where they have been connected
and extended, spanning over rayines and
bringing together into amore compact shape
the previously distinct and separated settle
ments, which always destroyed the unity OF
our population. These improvements should
be vigorously pushed ahead. Time and
money can be saved by it, and Richmond,
the city of the South, will yindicate itself a
tbousand-fold at no distant future. Rich
mond is city OF real progress, and its his
toric eminence will for: all time to come
bring travellers to her soil. All places OF
interest should be Zealo,lsly preserved, and
the public grounds should be adorned
such grounds as Chimborazo, .Libby's Hill,
CANDLES Hill. Monroe Square, the State
Agricultural Grounds, the Richmond Col
lege, Hollywood and lakewood cemeteries,
and the Capitol Square. And it should be
done nv gradual announcements uDon reuu.