Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/229

 1868. The Gazette. 18f quite desirable for churches, and private residences in country towns. The el- egant and commodious Banking House, with United States Post Office attached, erected the past season, by Kirk Mc- Veigh & Co., Bankers, West Chester, Pa., — showing the natural fracture, untouched by the chisel, except on the corners, and in the door and window trimmings, which are chisel-dressed — is a happy instance of its use, harmonizing well with surrounding objects ; and leaving a pleasant impression on the mind, as works of fine taste and good execution invariably do. PENN TREATY-GROUND. WE are happy to learn, through the subjoined letter of our genial and public-spirited friend, Mr. Gordon, whose untiring efforts with respect to raising funds for the statue of Washington have been crowned Avithsuch eminent success, that at least one citizen — and there are myriads, if one — shares our feelings in regard to the Penn Treaty-Ground. In addition we have, relative to our late presentation of the subject, the in- teresting points kindly presented by Mr. Richards. Philadelphia, Pa., August 6th, 1868. Editors of Sloan's Architectural Review and Builders' Journal. Gentlemen : The public-spirited citizens of Phila- ' delphia are indebted to you, for once more taking the initiative in the matter of a Monument to Pennsylvania's Founder — WILLIAM PENN. It speaks well for the spirit and ability .hich is to preside over your new peri- odical, that the first number should con- tain an article, from the able and culti- vated pen of its Assistant Editor, Mr. Charles J. Lukens, so full and complete, and illustrated so minutely with maps, and actual measurements, relative to the Penn Treaty Ground, within the limits of our metropolitan Philadelphia. Is it not high time that the architect- ural wisdom and commercial pride of our citizens should mark the spot, so "beau- tiful for situation," on the bank of the Delaware ; and enclose the very site of the old Elm Tree in a river square, as a breathing spot, for all time ; from whose centre will rise in memorial beauty, with all the graces of architecture clustering; around it, THE MONUMENT OP WILLIAM PENN? We have had talk enough. Now let those who are in earnest organize! No matter how few. There is much to be done ; and time flies. My own experi- ence in connection with the Washington Statue — which the Public Schools will finish next year ; and which will be the first public statue erected in this city — has taught me much with regard to the management of such affairs. Various plans might be here sug- gested ; but all suggestions, ideas and plans, are secondary to practical work. The first thing is organization. Even then, there are years of work before us. If indeed our strange city should be seized with one of its spasmodic fits, a monument to its Founder would be quickly erected. There are humanito- geological strata to be dug through. The whole public influence of the Qua- kers, or Friends, is opposed to monu- ment-building. The people of the world are pre-occupied ; and the people of the church feel they must first attend to higher things. We are young in such matters ; and even those who favor such developments of art and national memo- ries, have been so greatly discouraged