The courier., 1897-04-17
of trustees OF public reservation

lht SPithdAd VI tsiV "ViN vi
this society are seen In the beautiful
park systems OF Boston. In Virginia
Wood, in Middlesex Fell. in the province
lands at Province Town. Mass. where
the sandy desolate lands are being re-
claimed and protected from the inroads
OF the ocean by planting immense
groves of fine trees.
1.-The moral effect of the work of this
society Is seen in almost every city. vii
lage and hamlet throughout the COM
mOnwealth. Charles Eliot was the lead
ing spirit in this movement. His death
about three weeks ago at the age OF
thirty-seven caused by his untiring zeal
and self-sacrifice in the work, Is a pub
lie calamity. We recall his charming
landscapes of the Columbian exposition
grounds in Chicago. His monument Is
seen in the thousands OF acres of bar
rem lands. rugged mountain sides, river
lake and ocean shores that he trans
formed and made beautiful.
with the work now being done in re-
claiming the waste lands in our own
state, with the changed appearance OF
these once treeless plains through the
groves planted under the auspices OF
Arbor day and the tree culture act all
are familiar.
'In entering upon the work we hope
to accomplish through our improvement
society in making our city more attrac-
tive. we gain courage and inspiration
from the results attained by improve
ment societies in older communities and
have visions of what our city may be-
come.
The first improvement society in our
country was formed by Miss Mary Hop
kins in Stockbridge, Mass, in 1853
She devoted herself with untiring energy
to the work of planting flowers. vines
and trees in her native town. The aims
of the Improvement society she founded
appealed to the love of the beautiful in
the people of Stockbridge. Public spirit
in aid of the cause was aroused. The
streets were bOrdered by trees, groves
We're planted i'm the parks and on the
hillsides. The citizens sought to make
their homes, school grounds. parks and
As a result Stockbridge is now an ideal
waste places beautiful and attractive.
place-famed throughout the land for its
beauty.
The example of Srockbridge has been
contagious. Numb rless towns and
cities throughout the land are being
made attractive by their Improvement
societies.
THE ladies' of the ROxburgh club in
Boston are now doing a great work by
cooperating with the city forester in
protecting and caring for the trees in
the streets and city parks. In Charles
ton, S. c., once one of the most beauti-
fully shaded cities. but torn and de-
strOyed by the cyclone in 1885. and again
devastated by the earthquake of the fol
lowing year and many other storms
have followed. they have planted thou
sands of trees in the streets. at the same
time making their own grounds attrac-
tive again.
I'm our own improvement society. in
the many sided work before US. all can
find something to do. If each club be-
longing to the city federation will do
some special work-sOmething visible
and tangible toward beautifying our
lngleside. after an existence of fifteen
years. left behind it memorial window
in the First Congregational church for
one of its MEMBERSHIPS. Fairfield, wife
of Chancellor Fairfield Of our university
one of the nObFest V-lrnan who ever