Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/128

100 Sloan's Architectural Review and Builders' Journal. [August, centres, throughout the world, must, nevertheless, we are forced to admit, most miserably fail when compared, in regard to salubrity, with this Mont- gomery county upland. In the erection of our architectural creations hitherto, we have generally been restricted or limited, in various wa3 ? s ; but as herein was presented to us an unrestrained field, congenial to our tastes and inclinations, and amply ade- quate to revivify all of our past archi- tectural experience, — in combination with scientific discoveries, bearing upon health and comfort, — it might reason- ably be expected lai'gely to conduce towards the continual tasteful enjoyment of life within doors and without. The public generally are, it is believed, unaware, that, on Lancaster avenue, within the distance of not more than five or six squares from two stations on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad — " Overbrook" and "Wynnewood," five and six miles from Chestnut street bridge, a tract of land of surprising natural variety and beauty, containing about two hundred acres, was, some fifteen to twenty years ago, embellished "as- a Park — without regard to expense — by James Hogan, who had previously been, for several years, in a position second only to Sir James Paxton, as landscape gardener, at Chatsworth, Eng- land, the famous estate of the Duke of Devonshire. The plantations are now of large size ; the trees most luxuriant in growth, and, in combination with the original forest- groups, woods, water-surface, near and distant views, exhibit proofs of masterly skill and judgment. The whole Park has, we may say, the charm of unex- ampled, almost infinite, variety and beauty. Here, in about twenty minutes time from Chestnut street bridge, at an ele- vation of some four hundred feet above the city, the most perfect healthfulness of atmosphere is reached. The subsoil being of gravel and sand, there are no malarious exhalations ; and it is stated by residents of eighty to ninety years of age, that bilious and typhoid fevers have never occurred in its vicinity. A large map is being prepared hj us, showing the locations, together with drawings, of exterior and interior appro- priate styles of buildings from cottage to castle, which will be completed ac- cording to plans and specifications, within certain dates, for low and reason- able sums named. All occupants of these homes may obtain the use of the avenues for pleas- ure-driving. Elm avenue is of about two and a half miles in extent, by forty feet in width, the trees affording^ de- lightful shade throughout. The hedge-rows, of maclura, double althea and rose, are ten to twelve feet in width. The supply of pure water is most abundant. It is intended that only wire division - fences shall be used ; and that all offen- sive, unsightly out-buildings shall be interdicted within the Park. We have no doubt, that many a thing which the present outline would indicate as a practical appliance for an elegant round of enjoyment in home life, as pure invigorating atmosphere, and beautiful landscape embellishment already per- fected — has been the longing — the hope — yes, the stay and support of many a business man, and the promised goal of his ambitious toil. A superb Park, resi- dence and surroundings, in prospect, have charms for the most practical ; but prac- tically and single-handed, these involve enormous expense ; and are only at- tained, probably, too late in life. Under our proposed plan, all this can be entered upon, by longing admirers of country life, at an early day The project, in fact, affording, relatively to city residences, not only economy of money, but giving energy, health and vigor ; the investment becoming literally the grand entrance to an avenue of in- cessant gratification and a home of ease.