Mr. Editor - You are aware that the Commissioners chosen for carrying out the Central Park of New York, some time ago, offered four prizes for designs, the value of which respectively were $2000, $1000, $750, and $500. This inducement, combined with the ambitious feelings of our best Sural Architects and Landscape Gardeners, has developed such an amount of talent as is rarely to be seen: The final time fixed for the presentation of these plans, with estimates of expenses, and detailed explanations, was the first of April last past, and the result was thirty-five in number, two of which, however, were not for competition. After the decision of the judges it was agreed that the whole should be exposed to public view at twenty-five cents entrance, for the benefit of the unsuccessful competitors. Taking advantage of this, I went the other day to see them, and was much pleased with the artistic skill, and noble ideas, that were collected into one view. As might be expected in such a case, there is every grade displayed, from the highest appreciation and conception of the grandest landscape, down to geometrical "moonshine;" but enough of the former quality is exhibited to convince the whole country, that wo have more talent existing than we have been in the habit of believing.

After reducing the collective number to some twelve or thirteen, this is clearly verified, and leaves not a little study for the most qualified critic to decide upon the comparative merits of each; and, were it not for a distinctive difference in the bold and elevated ideality, contrasted with the approach to tameness which exists in some three or four of the best, it would have been a most difficult matter for the Commissioners to have chosen the really best.

The one to which the first premium is awarded, well deserves its position. The admirable way in which the undulations of the drives and footpaths are in harmony with the different elevations of the ground level, and their easy, graceful, yet bold curves; the appropriate grouping of trees and shrubs, the arrangement of each part of the general whole with an eye to convenience, without interfering with the main design, all contribute to entitle it to become the approximate portraiture for which it is intended. It will be well if the Commissioners complete the work as the design dictates. There are one or two trifling improvements that might be made, but these ought to be done by the authors, for any foreign interference would only break up the originality, and, most likely, produce an abortive effort. Considering the peculiar form of the site of operations, an extended parallelogram, with nothing as outride surroundings but straight-lined avenues and right-angled streets, and also that three of these streets lead to, and must cross the intended park, and further, that a large portion, in the centre, is to be devoted to two reservoirs for the supply of water to the city, the designers have had more than ordinary difficulties to contend against.

The first of these has been overcome by arranging for the general traffic to pass under the elevated park drives, and the latter by winding around the exterior boundary of the embankments, and judicious planting, so as to hide what would be, otherwise, a nuisance; while the water level itself will be seen as a small lake from a walk arranged for the purpose.

The second prize plan provides for these difficulties, but net so effectually. It has, also, the merit of being an improvement of the present site without breaking up the naturally rolling and picturesque surface, the which would save much expense in the execution. Herein consists its greatest excellence, but with these exceptions there are others that are discarded, which, to say the least, are quite equal, more particularly in the grouping of the trees and filling up of detail. The third prize is an attempt to produce an umbrageous effect with straight line and circular curve. In continental Europe, on a level plain, this would look well enough, but it is not at all adapted to the intended locality, nor yet the more majestic and boldly extended character of American scenery generally. The fourth prize is quite equalled by several others; notwithstanding it displays very fine ideas.

All the best designs, and, in fact, those only that are worthy of commendation, embody the principles which have been so strenuously laid down by the master minds of such men as Downing, Repton, and Loudon, and it would seem that all attempts to the contrary cannot begin to compare with this softening down of Nature, and the moulding our improvements to harmonize with the scenery of the country, or character of neighborhood in which they exist. There, perhaps, never was abetter example, than is shown in this exhibition, of the truth of this fact, and it is very gratifying to know that we have so many practitioners who are capable of giving satisfaction to all who may require their services and can appreciate the beautiful.

Respectfully yours, Wm. Chorlton.