Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/67

 1868.] The Philadelphia Park Extension and the City Water. 47 driving convenience can compensate the narrowing of the Schuylkill here by the contemplated one hundred feet ; and the loss of the water now washing the base of these lovely wooded cliffs — a great loss to artistic observers on the oppo- site shore, but a far greater to the visi- tors and lot-owners of Laurel Hill — would rudely interfere with the present isolated seclusion befitting the city of the dead. Among the many beautiful dells of the Park is that containing the oval fish-pond, under the high grassy banks, eastward of the Lemon Hill mansion, and across the road from the enclosed spring of mineral water. The ordinary fountain, springing from the pile of rough stones in the centre of this pool, could, by the expenditure of three or four thousand dollars, be replaced by one at once unique, romantic and appro- priate. Suppose, as issuing from the under-world, the gigantic granite figure of the Delaware head chief, Tamany, saj 7 of about six feet shoulder-breadth, with face toward the east, rising from the waters, so as to display his form, the arms kept close to the sides, as far as the lower part of the breast, with bear-skin over one shoulder, quiver and other accoutrements as their upper portions would proportionately emerge, and his head shaved, after the manner of the sea-board Indians, so as to leave nothing but the slender cord-binding of the crown. The scalp-lock and head- dress — for which see Beverley's account of the American Indians — would be rep- resented by the water, over-curving in every direction, with thin threads tink- ling in the lustrous pool. Here would be something, to engage the mind and warm the imagination, never imaged before. In Europe feather-crests upon the helmets of the full-length figures of knights have been represented by water- jets, which, while being a pretty good presentation of the effect desired there, will much better represent this peculiar style of the Indian head-dress. Hitherto we have spoken of the Park mainly as recommended by the Park Commission, and confirmed and estab- lished by the City Councils and the Legislature. But opportunity yet lin- gers with us to enhance the present high anticipated beauty, and to render it, beyond exception, the noblest muni- cipal pleasure-ground of the United States. The eastern brow of Fair- mount-basin knoll is utterly spoiled by a long, high and nearly perpendicular, dangerous stone wall, preventing the development of its eastern slope. This slope requires at least a square for its proper artificial reproduction. Left as now, it must ever be an eye-sore to all observers and a reproach to the city. Extend the grounds here from the southeast angle of Fairmount enclos- ure, the line of Biddle street, to Twenty- fourth street, along Twenty-fourth street to the easternmost obtuse angle of Cirard College enclosure, upon Poplar street, thence eastwardly along Poplar street to Corinthian avenue, and north- wardly, on the latter to Girard College gate, thence westwardly, northwardly and eastwardly along Cirard College grounds to Ridge avenue, thence along the west side of the latter to Oxford street, thence along the south line of the last-named, until it intersects and merges in the Park, near the southern limit of the Sedgely addition. This tract includes, or encloses, the basin north- west of the College, the Foster Home, the House of Refuge, and the reser- voir adjoining, and brings the Eastern Penitentiary within one square of the Park,— a matter of consequence to its prisoners, custodians, and the public, in a sanitary point of view, — and, fortun- ately, it is but little built upon. Por- tions of it contain fine groves of lofty trees which, in view of its proximity, it would be a shame to sacrifice to the more earthy gods of brick and mortar, and its surface is such as could readily be converted into a constantly freshening surprise of hill and dell.