assembled with much inconsistency to a better coordination with the original design by Mills and the plan by L’Enfant. It was therefore decided at the outset to retrace, as it were, the steps already taken, and in doing so to eliminate every detail which marred the original composition. It took a certain amount of courage to even suggest such a course,
then, with a wonderful unanimity enthusiastically indorsed the plan. They found it good. Mr. Hastings’ plan for the proposed improvements of Mount Vernon and St. Paul Squares has been approved and will be carried to completion.
As may be seen by reference to the accompanying illustrations, the chief element in Mr. Hastings’
for the people of Baltimore, by long association, had acquired a certain reverence for this section, and would be apt to regard with a certain amount of dissatisfaction the iconoclastic tearing down of so many supposedly permanent features. Particularly among the majority, always less well educated as to the value of esthetics, would this objection be raised. But fortunately the people of Baltimore have a very large amount of confidence in their Mayor and those who are in charge of their esthetic well-being. When Thomas Hastings outlined his scheme for the rehabilitation of this section the people first hesitated in the contemplation of an improvement so radical in its purpose, and,
PLAN—ST. PAUL AND COURTLAND STREETS
plan is the introduction of a monument to the Marquis de Lafayette. This equestrian figure will be heroic in size, and will be located on the south side of the Washington Monument, looking down Charles Street. It is proposed to have this monument executed by Paul Bartlett, the sculptor of the Lafayette Monument that was presented a few years ago by American school children to the city of Paris.
Accenting the placing of this statue will be a balustrade on the west and east sides of the circle surrounding the monument. The bronze figures by Barye and DuBois will then have a fitting setting, as four of them will be placed on the balustrade.
ST. PAUL AND COURTLAND STREETS, NORTH OF PLEASANT STREET