To The Hon.
            The Board of Public Works
                of the State of Maryland
 

In submitting the accompanying plans for the
improvement of the State House grounds, the Author
begs leave to remark that in making the design he had
endeavored to keep in view the fact that the feature
of paramount importance in the whole is the State
House itself and that any scheme which did not find
chiefly to set off this feature to the greatest advantage
must ever be a failure.
    In fact this principle and one other-namely (whilst not
losing sight of the first) to treat the grounds in the
manner that modern customs and recent improvements
have shown to be best suited for a city Park or "Place"
are the entire guiding fronts of the scheme.
Whilst few when used judiciously heighten the effect
of a building it will universally be admitted that the
contrary is the case when vegetation is as dense and
crowded as it is in this instance.
    It is therefore proposed to remove such of the trees as
now obscure the building too much - or are of unsuitable
nature such for instance as the Silver Poplar
Ailanthus &c but the author would favor the use
of ornamental shrubs and shrubberies in certain positions
nor would he propose to remove any other trees than
those decided to be absolutely necessary
    In order that a building should be seen to the best
advantage, the proximate grounds should be treated in
harmony and certain architectural rules followed.
    The natural position of the building in question
is good and does not require any very extensive alteration:
what is proposed is firstly to have a spacious level terrace
of a scale commensurate with the dignity of the building
and which should also be suitable for the large gatherings
of people incidental to its uses.
    This Terrace the full length of the front of the building
has been made 50 feet wide and is to be, as are all the paths
asphalted in the very best manner.                       A turfed
slope joins this Terrace to a bold semi-    circular
plateau while curved lines will add much to the view of the facade of the building.
    The main walk in front from the street has been
widened and changed from the present fatiguing and
dangerous grade with occasional single steps to a
level, with one flight of steps next street as present
and the remainder of the elevation disposed of by double
flights of wide and handsome granite steps, which
in place of entering the upper Terrace in the centre
do so at each side of the statue whose effect is the
much enhanced by the extra height and handsome
granite parapet placed below.
   The entrance from the street on the East
side has likewise been changed to a level with the
steps next Terrace.
   Other broad and straight-lined paths lead for
business purposes to the Comptrollers office, the
Treasury building next the Governor's Residence &c
    In addition to these there have been added for recreative
and ornamental purposes a sufficient number of winding
paths round the fountain (which has been removed to a
more spacious position) Pavillions or Summer Houses
and Parterres.
    The Boiler House has been done away with,
since, being no longer essential, it only mars the
general effect and appearing as merely a back building
is unhappily placed in full view of the Governor's Mansion.
    Following the example of the various cities both
West and East - it is proposed to remove the present
railings and their unsightly foundation round the
outside of the grounds and to mark the confines by a
simple curb to which the turf will run. (as a near
example the squares in Eutaw St. and elsewhere in Balt.
may be cited.)
    It is proposed to extend the confines on the N.W.
side from 5 to 25 feet in order to bring the roadway
at that part to a more uniform width.
    A new side walk is proposed to be placed all round
the outside grounds, which as well as all the other
paths, would be formed of asphalt in the very best
manner, the edges next turf being formed in ornamental
tile curbing.
    The roadway outside grounds opposite each present
gateway to be covered with asphalt Blacks as a crossing
30 feet wide.
    It is perhaps unnecessary to mention that a
rearrangement of the lamps and seats will necessarily be included.

                                Very Obe[diently] Your Serv[ant]
  [signed]                                Geo[rge] Gray