Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

oil any pfctenSlOn TO direct our cOun-
trymen to ornamental gardening and
rural architecture, and 1t had a good
effect in refining and cultivating the
public taste. Not long afterward he
published a smaller work on cottage
residences, which also attained a wide
circulation and exercised a healthful
influence. He then prepared work on
the fruits and fruit trees of America.
in which his extensive horticultural
studies and experience were applied.
He edited also q small book entitled
Hints on Architecture" but of late
wears his energies were principally ex-
erted in the Horticulturist, monthly
magazine of high character. devoted
to horticulture, pomology. landscape
gardening, botany and rural economy.
Mr.. DoWning's contributions were a
chief attraction of this periodical.
which. through his efforts, had become
unusually successful.
These publications of Mr.. Downing.
more than any other agency. had
worked a change in our style Of build
ing and created general improvement
in taste. He was commissioned by
large number of gentlemen about to
construct private residences to prepare
the designs and Law out the grounds.
The evidences of his fine professional
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
parts of the country, and his loss is
one that will be felt far beyond the
bereaved circle of which he was the
ornament and pride.
AT the time of his death Mr.. Down
irc was employed by the Government
at washington In laying out the puonc
Grounds in front of the Capitol. he
had not vet completed his plans, but
euch alterations as had been ALREADY
made were universally admitted TO De
a great Improvement to the metropolis,
and promised the most beautiful re-
suits"
MR. DOWNING was born in New
IVA buroh. N. Y. October 81. 1873.
From childhood he manifested fond
ness for botany nineralogy ana otneI
natural sciences. and at the age OF TO-
when he left school. he was able 10
prosecute these studies without the Iur-
Their aid of an instructor. His tatner
died when he was but Z years OF age.
and his mother wished him to become
A clerk in a dry goods store. but his
mind dictated otherwise. and he de-
cided to remain with his elder brother
in the nursery and garden industry.
The practical skill thus gained mani
tested itself afterward In his writings.
In September. 1882. the American
Pathological Society passed resolu-
ton having for its purpose the erection
of a monument TO perpetuate the MEM
DRY of Andrew Jackson Downing. In
all. SI,6T6.S0 was subscribed for this
purpose. $3.50 coming from the District
of Columbia. The cost of the monu-
ment, including incidental expenses.
was S1.585.6f and the iron railing
fence an amount in addition to this.
The design on the monument sug-
gested itself from a vase OF similar
character. ohich decorated the lawn in
front Of his home at Newburgh. 1t
consists of a large vase resting on
finest Italian marble, the design being
taken from the antique of the chaStest
school The vase is feet In height
and measures feet In diameter on its
upper rim The body is ornamented
with rich arabesque: acanthus leaves
surround the lower part. The handles
rest on heads of satyrs. The pedestal
resting on carved base, and being sur
mounted with carved cornice. has on
each side deep panels relieved by carved
holdings The whole monument. with
its granite plinth, is 9 feet 4 inches In
height.
he memorial was designed DN Cdt-
vert Vaux. architect, and Downing's
partner at the time of his death. 1t
was executed by Robert E. Launitz.
sculptor, of New York.
The inscription on 1t reads:
Northern 'FRONT.'
THIS VASE
Yves Erected by His Friends
In Memory of
ANDREW JACKSON DOWNING
Who Died July %. 1882, Aged 81 Years.
He was born. and lived.
And died upon the Hudson River.
His life was devoted TO the improvement
of the national taste in rural art.
An Office for which his genius and the
natural beauty amidst which he
lived had fully endowed him
His success was as great as his genius.
and for his death. of few public
men was public grief ever more
sincere.
When these grounds were proposed he
was at once called to design
them.
But before they were completed he per-
ishsd in the wreck OF the Steamer
Henry Clav