Morning journal and courier., 1883-10-26
Bound anO 0Ourier..
FrIdaV. October %, 1888.
TooST1xTEn rnoM rrRsr PAGE.

5est-ovs tbe view that many daily pass near if on Chapel street being scarcely aware of it. When will it ever be learned by our public tree planters that relief IS prime principle in the picturesque, and that a noble tree of all things to be enjoyed must stand in it's solitary grandeur to catch the eye at every hour of the day with the mutations of the lights and shadows upon it's majestic presence
 On winters day about forty years ago after an ice storm Mir Bakewen met friend on the Green and told him of 8 mishap which had befRllen his pet tree, which he nad claimed was destined to be 'the elm of New Haven. l" and he then took him to 1t and pointed out where one of the top branches had broken down by it's weight of ice, and was endangefing the branches below. lie expressed so much feeling in regard to It, was so anxious that it should be removed, that ms friend immediately started of and informed our Mayor the ever vivacious and cheery Philip s. Galpin. The Mayors eyes, which always laughed, twinkled as he told him of the distress of poor MT. Bakewell, and reply ing. tsWell remedy that, he at once despatch- ed man to saw off the broken branch. And just here we venture to put 1n plea of this elm Now some of the branches hang down within twelve or Inf teen feet of the ground and these always en- hauce the charm of an elm because we can oet near views of the clustering leaves on the slender branches as they are gently sWayed in the wind and glint in the sun; and because hanging down like the wings of 8 dove they in,nsrt tbe sentiment of protection. The plea we put in is, spare ths low hanging branches which, often dancing and sWaylpg in the winds seem as it were to be weIcom- ing one's approach. Spare these from the remorseless saw or it will in an hour destroy what the Almighty was century in creating.
 ,;o off th0 InT6r branches of our elms on our public grounds in some cases is a necessity, it has been so freely induIged in that it has greatly marred their beauty. A lady friend, great lover of nature, after an absence of nearly half lifetime, few days since said to us T yesterday was looking up the arch of Temple street from near Trinity and 1t seemed to me that it had somehow lost the perfection of it's old time beauty. I tried to discover the reason, when it flashed upon me it was because the branches were Topped of so" We had felt the same after an absence of many years As you stand under them in the strong light of midday the trees in cause barren of leaves, the nearest being forty to sixty feet above, and the great bulk on the crowns of the trees, where from the ground below they make but little i'm pression. In the dinner and slanting light of morning and evening this defect IS not so obvious. The elm at the best is thin in fol iage as compared to the maple and many other trees-never preventing free passage of air and allowing views of the passing clouds-Rnd it especially requires the benefit of the low branches for these are the strong est and most densely filled with leaves and are generally the most graceful being pendant and willowy. Another point just here. great beauty frequently seen in an elm are the clustering leaves that start out from the oha 5k off vi fIa main trunk and which indeed are often on the bole itself These fringing spots of light green cry soften and relieve the ruggedness of the limbs. Indeed, there are some elms, gener- ally young trees, which have but very little foliage upon them, but this little is 80 distributed all through the radiat- ing limbs that such trees by the sense of the beautiful to an extraordinary degree. The poets talk of the clinging vine that winds itself around massive tree which idealizes feminine lovelness and weakness reposing upon masculine nobility and strength; but these are more beautiful than any vine can be, for nature, which never errs, hasg iven them the very tint to harmonize with the tint of the wood, and withal they are children of the tree itself, spring from it's loins, giving to it an infantile tenderness and grace of expression. It is the custom to cut these away as though they were intrud- CTS and we hear, too, great deal about s'trimming up" trees, and so many rush in "where angels might fear to tread" and gen orally make such wretched work that we nev- CT hear the expression trimming up" with out a pang To trim tree and not mar it's beautynot only requires the instinct of born artist, but almost fore knowledge that borders on the miraculous, for no one can tell in advance the effect to be produced, and for blunder with the saw there IS no rem edy as there is with the brush of the painter.
 There is one spos in our city that prom ises to be place of unusual attraction if the trees are allowed to develop in their fullness of beauty. That is Park street below George. It is a broad street, the residences are well set back upon their respective and in several places entirely open lawns, while the street itself IS lined by two rows of young elms promising to form one of the grandest arches. It enhances the charm of life to have one's home in such an avenue as this seems destined to be.
 Both Mr. Bakewen and our old Mayor MT. Galpin, have passed away. As the latter, who in his person and manner reminded us of Henry Clay, was nearing his end, he com plained to 9 friend of his failing strength s'What's the matter 9" was the inquiry. Seventy years!" he replied, that's what's the matter. Seventy years !" and although not present, we know his eyes twinkled as he said it.
 Beside portrsits of our elms, our old friend, MT. Bakevell, made many pleasant pictures of things dear to New Haven asso- citations, but the best picture is the impress sion he left of himself upon the hearts of those who enjoyed the wealth of his friend ship, the true gold that came from one in spired with the love of the beautiful, be- cause, Christian as he was, he saw therein the smile of God.
 We close the chapter with an anecdote of Mir. Bakewell. whose interest in our New Ha- ven elms and in tEis tree in particular is worthy of an enduring record. With pains taking interest he had given young man series of drawing lessons. When finished his pupil took out his pocketbook to pay him, when he said No! wish you to accept of what have done for you as 8 testimony of the respect in which hold the memory of your father" He had known that father when living, had stood over him and closed his eyes in death, and now that he himself is no more it is not to be wondered at that the memory of this beautiful compliment is still living in the heart of that pupil, so that he is here constrained to show the tenderness in which he holds the memory of his friend and the great friend of this tree by naming it tsThe Robert Bakew ell elm."