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OLDEST HOUSE 
 
 This old specimen of a farm-house -was standing at the time 
 when the Commissioners of Fairmount Park took possession of 
 the grounds in West Park. The situation was on the Lands* 
 downe property, on what was called the River Road, and a lit- 
 tle north of the bridge on the Landsdowne drive which now 
 crosses the River Road. The Park foot-path which leads from 
 Sweet Brier Vale to the Landsdowne ravine, passes over or 
 near the site of ihis house. It was most probably the tenant 
 house of the Landsdowne Mansion, and built at about the same 
 time the latter was constructed, 1770. 
 
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 Published by R. NEWBLL & SON, Philadelphia. 
 
's Mansion, West Side of Schuylkillj 
 
 BELOW GRAY'S EEEKY. 
 
 John Bartram who was a lover of nature, is distinguished as 
 the first American botanist. He was "born at Darby, Chester 
 County, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1899, and died September 22, 
 1777. He was self-taught in botany, medicine and surgery. 
 In 1728 he bought a tract of ground on the west side of the 
 Schuylkill, upon which he commenced a house, which was fin- 
 ished in 1731, and laid out a botanical garden. It is built of 
 hewn stone, in style somewhat odd. The front being covered 
 with vines and creeping plants presents a romantic and Tener- 
 able appearance. The front entrance is through a recessed 
 porch. Over the south window of the front is a stone upon 
 which Bartram cut with his own hands this couplet : 
 
 " 'Tis God alone Almighty Lord, 
 The Holy One, by me adored." 
 
 Underneath is "John Baetbam, 1770." Upon another 
 stone is cut " John" and Ann Baetbam," 1731. This view is 
 from the front looking toward the Schuylkill. The principal 
 portion of the botanic garden was between the house and the 
 river. 
 
T 1 ! 
 
 PAGODA, AND LABYRINfl GARD& 
 
 Potor A. Browne an eminent lawy' of Philadelpf™" 
 also a busy man in public affairs. Hrwas a scientist ',"" 
 economist, ana conspicuous in publi.movements of/ Jr> 
 botweou 1820 and 1840. If a was the rigiuator of tb/ a j , 
 Arcade, Chestnut Street, between iixth and 
 was divided in; , shopi approache.'by avenues/^ 
 promiuont in the measures to estsolish the Pa/ a ' aml f" 
 rinth Garden, which ware built aid laid out/" 1 " 
 the south side of Coatos Street, row Fairmc 1 * Avenuchn 
 tho lot extending from Twenty-Snrth to ^'"ty- 6 ™ 1 sts . 
 which is now occupied as tho «epot of V Gl0en a " d p 
 Streets Passenger Hallway Company. "> e Pago 3 * wf 
 wood, conatruotedin Chines ,<;, 1, . ■...' , ,M " 1 ' o™ 1 "^ 
 
 and fifty feet in height, n buildU in fl0nt " : "' ' f" 
 
 rooms and other purposes wove ... "" : " a according io 
 Chinese fashion. Tim LBbyrinth/ aa I,outU of tho ra ' 
 hedged with box, and rosily w 7intricate in arrange*. 
 It was espoctod that this g:u-, 1> would become a plaf 
 groat resort. The difficulty wo tl,;tt "' wa9 considered tr 
 from tho built up parts of tl- city; except to those whl 
 Vehicles at their command, ft turned out to ho an unfi- 
 hlo speculation and was ab n,loue < l in tho course of flvox 
 years. 
 
 Sweet Brier Mansion, Fairmount Park. 
 
 This building, well known to all visitors of the Park, stands 
 on tho west side of the Schuylkill, about half a mile beyond tho 
 Landsdowne entrance at Girard Avenue bridge. It was burned 
 December IS, 1870, and is to be rebuilt by the Park Commission- 
 ers. The mansion was erected by Samuel Breek, a merchant of 
 Philadelphia, at ono time State Senator, and member of Con- 
 gress, probably about the year 1810. He occupied the house 
 permanently as a place of residence for thirty-eight years, be- 
 -*ween 1823 and 1SG1. Mr. Breek was born in Boston, in 1771, 
 snd educated in France in the Eoyal and Military School of 
 ,orenze. He was a spirited and active citizen, and when ho 
 ied, (August :>2, 1862,) at the age of ninety-one years and 
 irty-six days, his life had covered the entire existence of tho 
 epublio from 'Washington to Lincoln. He received the latter 
 m his visit to the city, in 1801. The Sweet Brier Mansion is 
 plain and substantial in appearance, and is built upon a pleas- 
 int eminence, from which there is a beautiful view of the Schuyl. 
 till. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL 
 
 A better idea of tho character of this ancient building is 
 given in this view than can be obtained from most of tho engrav- 
 ings which have been mado of tho venerable edifice. Tho 
 main front, facing Pino Sircet, and the side, on Eighth Strestj 
 show the general characterof the structure. Thu Hospital occu- 
 piesa square of ground bounded by four streets. The front of the 
 buildings, on Pine Street, is two hundred ami seventy-eight feet; 
 length of the end wiugs one hundred and ten foot. Tho central 
 building is of marblo up to the top of the first story, with mar- 
 ble pilasters set in tho brick-work abovo. It is surmounted 
 by a dome and balustrade seventy-two feet from tho ground 
 With the exception of tho Philadelphia Hospital, connected 
 with the Almshouse, this is the oldest Hospi ttlinl 
 It owes its foundation to Dr. Thos. Bond, who proposed its es- 
 tablishment in 1750. Tho province, of Pennsylvania gave tho 
 Hospital £2,000 and a charter. A larger amount wai realized 
 fromprivato subscriptions. The Hospital v. at Into 
 in a houso on Market Street, between Fifth and Sixth, in Feb- 
 ruary, 1752. The lot of ground on Spruce, t? Ei [hii and 
 
 Ninth Streets, was purchased in 1751. The foundation stono 
 was laid JIay23, 1755. The eastern wing was finished and used 
 the next year. The western wing was commenced after tho 
 Revolution, and the central building was used in 180.1 Ono 
 hundred thousand patients have since its establishment beon 
 admitted to this Hospital, of whom over fifty thousand woro 
 poor, and supported by the institution. 
 
 PEALE'S HOUSE, GERMANTOWn, 
 
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 I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
 
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