The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-20
THE LOWELL MEMORIAL.
Plans for Making n Park Out OF n Part or the
Homestead In Cambridge.

BosToN, June l9.-In the most beautiful part
Of the neighboring city of Cambridge stands a
square, yellow, old-fashioned, comfortable.look-
ing house, surrounded by broad grounds and
shaded by tall trees. 1t was the home OF the
poet, James Russell Lowell. 1t is now pro-
posed to purchase a part Of the Lowell estate.
about three acres, and lay it out as a park by
way OF a memorial. The Metropolitan Park Com-
mission has promised to pay one-thiri Of the
purchase money for this tract, and it is now al
most certain that the city OF Cambridge will also
bear onc-third of the cost. This will leave sub
stantinlly $l2 900 to be raised by private sub
scription. about one-half of which has already
been pledged.
The homestead estate lies at the corner Of
Mount Auburn and Elmwood streets, with the
house facing the latter. A high fence shuts ont
the view of the building from Mount Auburn
street and on Elmwood street is a thick-set lilac
hedge. Popping through this or looking in at
the gate one gets a glimpse Of the dwelling.
quite a distance back from the street and aP-
are closed and the grass grows tall on the lawn.
for the Lowell heirs. who usually occupy the
the grave OF Lowell in lovely Mount AUBURN
Cemetery, just across the way, looks far more
cheerful than this tenantless house. where he
death his heirs have put upon the market a part
OF the land belonging TO the estate. reserving.
however the buildings and perhaps five or six
The strip that it is designed to purchase asa
Joins the reserved homestead lot. 1t is 800 feee
wide, something more than 400 feet long, and
extends from Brattle street to Mount Auburn
street. 1t is an ideal spot for a little park, and
the immense Metropolitan Park system. on tho
one hand, and, on the other, the Cambridge
riverside Park. now in process of completion.
Il is believed that the Lowell memorial will.
therefore, Il tho purchase money can be secured.
be maintained by one or the other OF these
big, park systems. At one end OF this
strip Of land is a grove OF tall Whisper
are other trees, most OF which will no
allowed 10 stand. Only a few hundred fces
away. but unseen because OF the trees and a
little hill. runs the river that in silence
w%indest," the Charles, about which LOngfcllow
sang. Across Mt. Auburn street is MI. Auburn
cemetery. one of the most beautiful cities Of tho
dead in the world. There Lowell sleeps, and
there also are the remains of Longfcll0w. The
graves n little nearer than were the houses OF
the men when living. For just down Rrattlo
street from Elinwood, a little way toward liar
like the Lowell dwelling. and possessing, like IT,
a certain dignited aloufncss. n reserved charac-
ter of its own
At the head of the Lowell Memorial Commit.
and associated with him are Bishop Lawrence,
Miss Alice Longfcllow. Mrs. Louis AgassiH. Prof.
Charles Eliot Norton. and others of WORLDWIDE
iHine. Among those who have recently con;
tributed is the Hon. Seth Low OF New York, and
men prominent in all walks of life have been
liberal givcrs.
remarked to II Sun representative, lit i tho
large number OF small contributions that glyo
the most pleasure, for they show the VICE
spread sentiment IN favor of "A memorial 10 the
poet, ana that Is the sentiment We want To foster.
The person who gives bur little can share with
the givcrs of the large sums the feeling that he
has share In this memorial TO pcrpetuatc the
home OF Lowell