Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-09-08
TIE VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

Almost every day the systematic ncwspa-
per reader will run across an item with refer
cnce 10 an institution called ''The Village In
provement Society" This is an organization
mostly confined to New England, which has
for its object the sanitary and aesthetical i'm
provement of our towns and villages. 1t is a
natural outgrowth of the present aesthetical
reua' s-ancc, which is playing 50 large part
in the social life and literature of the day.
Branches of the organization are to be found
in many Of our New England villages, and
the spirit of Improvement which they have
given rise TO is fast becoming actual and pa
tent in the outward appearance of highways,
and dwellings, andpublic and private grounds
throughout large sections of country. Moth
ing could bc more practically and directly
beneficial than the work which is being done
by this society. Health and comfort, the
two great utilitarian demands of the human
race without which there could be neither
mcatal nor moral progress are directly subser-
we'd by the principles which it inculcates. 1t
is II well known fact that that which renders
life desirable tends to prolong it. The man
who thinks it richly worth while to live, usual
ly realizes his desire, and comes to ripe old
age. There is vitalizing power in interest
and enjoyment whatever tends to increase
these tends to lengthen and intensity life.
| Much has been said and written about the
moral uses of the beautiful. 1t has its physi
mt
life is the basis Of the moral and intellectual
life. whatever exercises an influence for good
over that underlios, in sense all life, and
is the first condition of its existence.
Viewed in thislight, there is high aud noble
motive in the sanitary and architectural i'm
| povcmcn to four towns and villages 1t Is mo-
| tive which should find encouragement among
all classes of men; among the wise because
they are wise among the ignorant because
it countcracts the evil effects Of ignorance /:
among the rich because it is the most direct
and beneficial form of bcnevolencc and
among the poor because it promises them
health and comfort instead of sickness and
squalor, and holds out to them larger lease
and greater enjoyment of life.
! How different is the condition of the places
where this society has obtained foothold
from that which they formerly presented
There are scores Of villages in New England
which would be scarcely recognized by one
who had been long absent from them. Where
was formerly confusion, and neglect and
slovenliness, is now order and care, and beau.
ty. The evidences of improvement may be
seen ON the highways, in the cemeteries and
on the great open spaces generally found in
all country villages and known AS the Com
mon. Neat lamp posts, surmounted by lamps
well cared for, have been placed in front of
the church and village hall, and perhaps
along some of the principal roads, the pedes.
trian finds agood, hard sidewalk to travel
upon, instead Of the dusty roadway, which
is generally the best he finds ordinarily in the
country; II neat railing surrounds the Com.
mon, which is traversed by smooth paths
and ornamentcd, perhaps, by some beds OF
towering plants or groups of handsome
shrubs; and in the cemetery, too often a
neglected wilderness of weeds and half wreck.
ed monuments, the visitor finds order, neat
ness and beauty giving testimony to the re.
spect OF the living for the last resting place
OF the dead. The homes of the people, too,
share in the general improvement There is
an aspect of wde-awskenoss about the very