bay.

THE BOSTON COMMON.. This is a a favorite part of the city on account of large and beautiful public square, in the its fine scenery, free air, and retirement. western part of the city, lighted by gas, On the west it looks down on Charles encircled by an iron fence, and extend-river, there spreading out into a wide ing down the long and gentle slope of Beacon hill. It contains about fortythree acres, exclusive of the malls which surround it, and the botanic garden west of it, the whole comprehending at least seventy-five acres of open land dedicated to the public. In spring and summer, when covered with a coat of verdant grass, and while the numerous fine trees which shade it are in full foliage, the sight is remarkably striking, and can not be contemplated without admiration, as one of the largest and most beautiful public grounds in America. Being slightly relieved by several swells and depressions, it is remarkably well adapted to the manoeuvring and encampment of troops, to which it is devoted on days of military display. In the centre of this park there is a beautiful piece of water, known by the name of "Frog-pond," of about half an acre in extent, and enclosed by edgestones of hammered granite. It is now ornamented with a beautiful fountain.

THE STATEHOUSE.-Overlooking the common from the summit of Beacon hill, on its northern side, stands the statehouse. This elegant and spacious edifice was erected in 1795. The building is seen at a great distance in all directions, and is the principal object visible when the city is first seen by those who visit it. The form is oblong, being one hundred and seventy-three feet in front, and sixtyone feet deep. The height of the building, including the dome, is one hundred and ten feet; and the foundation is about that height above the level of the water of the bay. It consists externally of a basement story twenty feet high, and a principal story thirty feet high. This, in the centre of the front, is covered with an attic sixty feet wide, and twenty feet high, which is covered with a pediment. Immediately above rises the dome, fifty feet in diameter, and thirty in heightthe whole terminating with an elegant Near this pond, and south of it, stands circular lantern, which supports a pine the celebrated old elm, which for nearly cone. The basement story is finished in two centuries has triumphed over the a plain style on the wings, with square heats of summer and the blasts of win-windows. The centre is ninety-four feet ter, and under whose shade were for- in length, and formed of arches which merly held the drumhead courts-martial and the parades of military executions.

Before 1733, rows of trees had been planted on some parts of the common, as, in that year, it was resolved that more should be planted. Since that time the trees have been greatly multiplied, so that the common is at present surrounded with broad and shady avenues, where, on the smooth gravel-walks, thousands of citizens find a favorite retreat from heat, and the enjoyment of a cool breeze, on the summer evenings. The number of elms now exceeds seven hundred; and these are, in some parts, tastefully intermingled with other kinds of trees, lining the numerous shady paths which lead across the grounds around their circuit, or by winding courses up and down the gentle declivities.

On three sides the common is bordered by long ranges of stately mansions, being

project fourteen feet, and make a covered walk below, and support a colonnade of Corinthian columns of the same extent above.

A beautiful statue of Washington, by Chantrey, was procured by private subscription, and placed in the statehouse in the year 1828. The costume is a military cloak, which displays the figure to advantage. The effect is imposing and good; but, instead of confining himself to a close delineation of features, the sculptor, like Canova, has allowed some latitude to his genius in expressing his idea of the character of the subject.

The view from the top of the statehouse is very extensive and variegated; perhaps nothing in the country is superior to it. To the east appears the bay and harbor of Boston, interspersed with beautiful islands; and the distance beyond, the wide-extended ocean. To the

north the eye is met by Charlestown, | handsomely improved, and made to minwith its interesting and memorable heights ister to the health, the pleasure, and the and the navy-yard of the United States; comfort of the residents of that beautiful the towns of Chelsea, Malden, and Med-city.

ford, and other villages, and the natural During the year 1849, Mr. SEARS adforests mingling in the distant horizon. dressed a letter to the mayor and alderTo the west, is a fine view of the Charles men of Boston, suggesting a plan of imriver and bay; the ancient town of Cam-provement of this waste spot, to be effectbridge, rendered venerable for the uni- ed through an amicable adjustment of versity, now above two hundred years the several proprietary interests therein. old; of the flourishing villages of Cam- This proposition of Mr. SEARS led to the bridgeport and East Cambridge, in the appointment of a commission, on the latter of which is a large glass manufac- part of the state, to examine into "the turing establishment; of the highly culti- tenure of the property, and the rights of vated towns of Brighton, Brookline, and individuals, of towns, and of the state Newton and to the south is Roxbury, therein;" and which may be looked upon which seems to be only a continuation as an initiatory or preparatory step to its of Boston, and which is rapidly increasing; Dorchester, a fine, rich, agricultural town, with Milton and Quincy beyond; and still farther south, the Blue hills, at the distance of eight or nine miles, which seem to bound the prospect.

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Near the capitol, on the west, is the mansion-house of the eminent patriot the late JOHN HANCOCK, now exhibiting quite an ancient appearance. On the same side, and farther west, rising from the rich foliage which surrounds the spectator in the common, conspicuous among many fine edifices, stands the mansion of the Hon. DAVID SEARS-a gentleman of large landed property, distinguished among those remarkable men of Boston to whom the literature and charities of the country owe so much.

The plan proposed by Mr. SEARS for the enlargement and improvement of Boston, by reclaiming the waste spot of territory back of the public garden, is one so intimately connected with the welfare and growth of that city, that our description of the metropolis of New England would be imperfect without a brief notice of it. We have, when visiting Boston, and realizing its rapid growth and crowded streets, looked upon this immense basin, which, save as a daily recipient of the offal and impurities of streets and dwelling-houses, has long been lying idle (the water-power created by it being a failure, and now disused, and the Water-power Company turning their power into a land-speculation), with a feeling of regret that it could not be

future improvement. The plan of Mr. SEARS for rendering available and beautifying this basin, can be seen in the diagram on page 83; and its details will be found in the following letter to the state commissioners, which we publish entire, as it embraces extracts from the letter to the mayor and aldermen referred to above, and will give a clearer idea of the proposed improvement than any explanations from us could possibly do :—

BOSTON, December 16, 1850. "To the Honorable the Commissioners, &c.

"GENTLEMEN: Among the questions which may fairly come within your examination, under warrant from the legislature, is the following, viz.: the best plan, having reference to the public, for filling up the Back bay, and making that waste of waters available for useful purposes.

"This subject is distinct from the rights of property, and does not implicate any of those questions which have been so ably argued before you. Yet it is of importance to us all, since it may serve as a starting-point from which the par ties interested may hereafter more easily advance to an amicable adjustment; and it is of especial value at this stage of the matter, because the rights of all to the area of land lying between the boundaries of the riparian proprietors of the city of Roxbury and the boundary of the city of Boston being as yet unsettled, a common plan of improvement can be more readily adopted than if said area