with his duties, might be conducting another class of sales in the usual manner.

These remarks on the South End lands, apply with equal pertinency to those at South Boston, or indeed, wherever found. Put the latter also into market, and speedily, too, that the present generation may reap the advantages. Those theoretical speculations on the laws of probability, in reference to what may possibly come to pass, if the public lands are thus thrown in quantities before the people, ought not to be entertained. Rather than temporize any longer in a matter requiring prudent decision, give the whole away upon the Agrarian principle, with a moral certainty of some income at last, from assessments on the valuation, in the keeping of new proprietors.

Another tract, of large dimensions, known as the South Bay, if possible, has been more neglected than all the rest. A controversy between the City and the contractor for filling the basin, has been an expensive misunderstanding. Happily the vexatious question was settled the past week. Early in March, operations are to be recommenced for completing the long contemplated plan. Spacious streets may be laid out forthwith over the whole, without completing the levels, and by dividing the rough acres into lots, and selling at auction, unembarrassed by restrictions, just as fast as they can be put in readiness, a gratifying income might be realized, to the relief of taxation, even while the work is progressing.

Neither have my views undergone a change since I had the honor to present them on a former occasion, in respect to the expediency of keeping the Public Garden, open and free from all encumbrances. Posterity will thank you, and those of your successors, who oppose the occasional popular expression in favor

of selling, or covering portions of that splendid area with houses. It is just beginning to be ornamental, and appreciated on account of the beneficial influence such a magnificent square must have on the general health. By diminishing the width, a main feature of its beauty would be destroyed. After ages will assuredly execrate any such contracted disposition of that lovely and inviting spot. Surely there are higher objects in life than dollars, to carry onward the good name and fame of the City of Boston. May no narrow show of economy in financial arrangements deprive us of the fresh atmosphere we were born to breathe, nor the doctrines of utilitarianism induce us to sell the birthright of human beings to the genial influence of air and the light of heaven.

Real estate throughout the City depreciates or rises in value in a ratio corresponding with the augmentation of squares, diversified scenery, waving foliage, inviting walks and leaping fountains. They delight the eye, refine the taste, and invite strangers in pursuit of business and pleasure. Neither sell, no, nor mar the Public Garden.

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Should a successful negotiation be effected with the Commonwealth, for the conveyance of about thirty acres, west of the line of the Garden, abundant territory will thus be provided for building purposes, either public or private. As a hope is entertained that certain claims of the City to a portion of the spacious field for improvement in that direction may be sustained, no final settlement has yet been concluded with the State Commissioners.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS,

A public library has become a permanent institution. Of its diffusive benefits, there can be no conflicting

opinions. The more spacious the proposed edifice, the larger will be the collection upon its shelves. A Board of Commissioners, composed of gentlemen of literary and architectural judgment, have had confided to them the responsibility of providing a suitable edifice for the precious treasures of knowledge which are rapidly accumulating.

QUINCY MARKET.

By disposing of that much prized estate, not unfrequently agitated, it would go into the possession of proprietors competent to managing it far more profitably than the City, provided no alterations take place superior to the present manner of farming out the stalls. Were it sold under restrictions not to be used as a market, the closing of the doors would in no perceptible degree reduce the price of provisions. The dearness of food is due to other causes than what is denominated the market monopoly, over which the civil authorities have no control. Consumers are increasing, but the producers, by the cultivation of the soil, in New England particularly, are diminishing. The large farms in the vicinity, that formerly sent an abundance of produce to Boston, are rapidly being subdivided into cottage lots.

In January last it was intimated to the City Council, that by adding two stories to Quincy Market, two purposes would be gained worthy of consideration. First, a profitable investment; and secondly, gaining facilities for a vast increase of business.

Responsible parties are ready to lease the premises, and carry out the improvements at their own expense. Let the City do it, if done at all, and have the benefit. A widening of the market house, by taking a strip out

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of the northerly side of South Market street, cannot be accomplished, to my apprehension. Any expectations, therefore, of that kind, must be relinquished.

In July next, all the leases expire by limitation. Anticipatory of that event, preparations with reference to elevating the roofs and completing the alterations seasonably, might be commenced. No dog-inthe-manger policy will be satisfactory to the citizens. Either do this great thing ourselves, or permit others, who would thank us for the privilege.

By occupying the second story for vegetables, including fruits, and perhaps butter and cheese, made accessible by several flights of stairs, the whole of the first floor could then be given up for meats, thus immensely relieving the pressure, and enlarging the capacity of the market. The third story for counting rooms, agencies and offices would rent advantageously; while the fourth, exclusively given for the accommodation of military companies, could not fail of being superior to any other position in the City, for their

armories.

With ample length of passage-way for marching exercises, undisturbed by inclemencies of the weather, the rotunda in the centre offers unsurpassed conveniences for drilling a whole regiment, completely under

cover.

Were two more stories put upon the Register of Probate Building, the Water Board, City Solicitor, City Engineer, and some other officers, could be admirably located, for whom the City is now paying dear office rents, at inconvenient distances from the City Hall. The sums paid out in a single year in this manner, would nearly suffice for the alterations.

MARKET ORDINANCE.

Complaints, various and loud, against certain market regulations, perhaps not clearly understood, are common. The charge is this, that the stall keepers are unprincipled monopolists, and prices are kept up, through their immediate instrumentality.

Those who offer produce, of their own raising, have the right of vending it in every street, throughout the City, without interruption, and even within prescribed market limits, in market hours. The obnoxious ordinance, as it is denominated, was intended simply to keep professed speculators from the ground which they are prone to occupy, permanently, as fine stands for trade, rent free.

Successive committees, after a patient investigation, have uniformly reported in favor of sustaining the existing regulations. On the contrary, after diligent inquiry, I am decidedly in favor of free trade in marketing, by repealing all and every restriction upon the freest distribution of human food, wherever those having it for sale, choose to offer it to the people, subject only to that police oversight which shall prevent and punish frauds, prohibit unwholesome articles, and protect each and all in the lawful pursuit of buying, selling, and getting gain.

Further, I beg to ask your early attention to the necessity of building a shed market house at South Boston, another at East Boston, and a third in the middle of Washington street, where it has the greatest breadth, somewhere not far from Shawmut and Franklin squares. Give the country farmers a place to be sheltered, and in this particular, copy other cities, and the problem will soon be solved, whether the exorbitant price of provisions is chargeable to ourselves, to others,