We have to-day received a letter from Commissioner Squier, of which a copy is enclosed. You will please call on the Commissioner to-morrow and explain our views verbally and leave with him a copy of this letter as a memorandum of them.

As to the question of the elevation of the promenade on the south of the reservoir of Ridgewood Park, we can only ask the Commissioner to take cautious account of the circumstance that this public ground is to be distinguished far above any other in the United States by the grandeur of the view for which it offers opportunity over the broad and far-reaching expanse of the Atlantic. The eastern coast of the North American continent south of New York Harbor is low, flat and sandy. At no point upon it for several thousand miles is an outlook to be had of equally commanding interest with that from the heights of Ridgewood. This property therefore becomes one of great importance, not only to the people of Brooklyn but to the people of all the eastern side of the continent.

As the horizon line of the ocean is always apparently on the level of the observer’s eye, and as the extent of waters visible is proportionate to the apparent elevation of the horizon line, every foot of elevation that can be gained [827]

Preliminary Sketch of Ridgewood Park, Brooklyn, N.Y., June 22, 1894

No other question to be determined as to the treatment of this property is of nearly as much consequence as that which is thus presented.

Strongly impressed with this conviction it is possible that we have, in our first study, strained a point to make the most of this advantage of the ground. If so, we can only urge the Commissioner to keep the road in question at as high an elevation as he can feel will be justified. It would, in our judgment, be wiser to delay the operations for years to come rather than lower the surface of the road a single foot below the elevation we have proposed for it.

Whatever is to be done at the present time is to be done in behalf of many millions of people who are not yet living. Whatever advantage of the ground is now lost is lost forever.

[828]

We only want to be sure that the Commissioner realizes the importance of his responsibility in this respect. You will try to make sure that he does so and we shall of course be governed by the instructions which he will give you.

Yours Truly