But they began to lower it--yes: take it down literally.

No one with an imaginative soul can fail to feel that as they lowered the house in site and situation so they gradually but relentlessly permitted it to be lowered in character.

It is with a distinct pang that I recall the steps of Richmond Hill's decline: material and spiritual, its two-sided fall appears to have kept step.
A sort of degeneracy struck the erstwhile lovely and exclusive old neighbourhood.

Such gay resorts as Vauxhall and Ranelagh Gardens had encroached on the aristocratic regions of Lispenard's Meadows and their vicinity.

Brannan's Gardens were close to the present crossing of Hudson and Spring streets.