was definitively adjudged to be the prop-in a manner to be approved of by the erty of either. cities of Roxbury and Boston.

"In my letter on the above subject, addressed to the mayor and aldermen of the city of Boston, and dated June 11, 1849, the following suggestions were made, viz.: That the Botanic (or pub

"In addition to the above, it seems to me that the peculiar tenure of this land -if the original interest of the state is doubtfully merged by specific grants and easements to various parties-renders it proper that the commonwealth, as sov-lic) Garden should be extended some ereign, should still extend over it a protecting arm, and so regulate its future occupation as to make it, as far as is practicable, an ornament to the metropolis, a pride to the city of Roxbury, and a scheme worthy the name and reputation of the state which grants it.

"Under this view of the subject, I have the honor to present to your board, and to make part of your report, a plan similar to that I lately offered for the examination of the mayor and aldermen of the city of Boston, and which I beg you to regard as suggestive only, and as the basis of a more detailed draught, to be worked out by others, for this valuable improvement.

hundreds of feet until it reaches a broad and circular avenue, enclosing within its area from fifty to seventy-five acres of water: the avenue to be at least one hundred feet wide on the top, and bordered on both sides by elms and other ornamental trees: the water of the lake to be supplied by an aqueduct from the flour and other mills on the cross-dam, and emptied into Charles river by a sufficient raceway: the depth of the lake to be three feet below low-water mark, and with a gravelled bottom: the flats to be filled up to a level with Charles street, and laid out with public squares and other ornamental places, as shown on the plan.

"This project, if ever carried into effect, will give to the city, at a small comparative cost, a large amount of taxable property; an extensive and beautiful Botanic Garden, terminated by a lake of pure water, equal in size, or larger, than the present Common; and a broad and splendid promenade, not to be surpassed by any in the world.

The principal features of the reservations proposed, and to be ordered by the state whenever the parties in interest -the Boston Water-power Company or others-shall apply for the right to fill up and use for building purposes the abovenamed area of land, are the following, namely: That a pond or lake of water, of not less than twenty-five acres of surface, be for ever kept open for public "The lake will be in itself an enduse and ornament, beginning at a point less source of amusement to the publicin the city of Boston where Boylston a fit place for evening music, for boatstreet, continued, terminates at the boun- races and aquatic sports in the summer, dary line of the city in the receiving- for skating exhibitions in the winter, and basin of the Boston Water-power Com- for fireworks and other public displays pany, and extending in a westerly direc- on the 4th of July and holydays. tion until it reaches the western boundary "In the hope that these suggestions of the flats claimed by the city of Roxbu-may be of service, and if of no other use, ry that not less than four public squares, lying within the receiving-basin, and easterly of the boundaries of the above-named riparian proprietors, and southerly and westerly of the Neck-lots and other lands near the boundaries of the city of Boston, of at least six hundred feet by four hundred, be laid out and for ever kept open for ornament and air: that all the principal streets shall be fifty feet wide: that no street shall be less than thirty feet wide: and that the whole shall be drained

perhaps the means of eliciting a more advisable mode of relieving the city of nuisance, and preparing the way for a more desirable embellishment of her public grounds, I have the honor of laying the plan before you.'

"The same purpose which called forth this letter still exists, and the same wish remains to see this improvement carried out.

"Should the state, as is believed, not contemplate a beneficiary interest in the

matter, but regard its right-be it more | ite, and having the front broken by two or less-only as a means of seeing jus- semi-circular projections, like round towtice done to the public, then I can not ers, extending from the ground to the doubt that it will readily approve the roof, and affording to the three stories. principles I have laid down in reference abundant light, and commanding views to a general plan; and even if it should of the beautiful and extensive scenery determine otherwise, still the advantages spread out around. of a preliminary movement of the kind herein suggested must be obvious to every thinking person who examines it. "With great respect, I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

"DAVID SEARS.

"Hon. SIMON GREENLEAF, Chairman of Commissioners concerning Boston Harbor and Back Bay."

In this vicinity are numerous fine and costly dwellings, the residences of distinguished gentlemen-of the princely merchants, the LAWRENCES and APPLETONS of the eminent lawyers, CHOATE, OTIS, and MASON-of the historian PRESCOTT; and many others. Costly buildings may likewise be seen on the several streets which have, chiefly within the last twenty years, been built up parallel and at right angles with the north line of the common, on the upper slope of Beacon hill; but none surpass, in size or effect, the fine mansion depicted and described.

There are several other edifices on different sides of the common which merit more particular notice than we have room to give them. Park-street church stands on the eastern side, and is one of the oldest churches in the city. The Gothic masonic temple and St. Paul's church, on the south, and other places of worship of different denominations, are seen in the neighborhood, adding variety by their different forms and styles of architecture.

The advantages which will result from this improvement are incalculable. One benefit to the city will be, the creation of a large amount of taxable property at little or no expense to it, except drains and streets, while it will also benefit individually every real-estate owner, trader, and resident, in Boston. Whatever tends to beautify the city and render it more healthy, has the additional tendency to an increase of population and of business, thereby enabling all to share in the advantages of such a scheme as is now proposed. The water-works which have recently been completed at an immense cost, to furnish an unfailing supply of that important article to the whole population, present a strong inducement to fam- The Massachusetts General Hospital, ilies to move into the city, and will be with its two departments-its hospital the means of keeping multitudes from for the sick and its asylum for the insane seeking residences in the suburban towns-is one of the largest and most imporand villages, in preference to the city, as was formerly the case on account of the difficulty of obtaining wholesome water in the latter.

It is characteristic of the Bostonian to feel a just pride in the success of any measure which is designed to adorn his city, and make it more and more truly "the pride of New England." And this project is one that meets with so much favor, that it will undoubtedly at no distant day be adopted, and thus place Boston in the front rank of her sister-cities in point of health and beauty.

The mansion of Mr. SEARS, before referred to, a view of which is on the opposite page, is in a plain, massive style of architecture, but has a light and pleasing effect, being constructed of white gran

tant of the charitable institutions of the state. It was incorporated in 1811. It was designed to afford relief to invalids, to reach the necessities of every class of persons, and to yield its benefits at the lowest possible rate. The act of incorporation granted to the hospital a fee simple in the old Province-house estate, on the condition that one hundred thousand dollars was raised within ten years. Special donations for this object, amounting to over one hundred and forty thousand dollars, were made in 1816, and the estates were purchased where the two departments of the institution have been located. Its endowments now amount to about one million of dollars. The hospital for the sick, erected in a spacious enclosure of four acres in Allen street, is