“ The summer of 1850 he spent in England, visiting the great country-seats, of which he wrote descriptions, and in that year published his “Architecture of Country Houses, including Designs for Cottages, Farmhouses, and Villas.” ”

“ Loudon's “Landscape-gardening for Ladies.” In 1851 he was commissioned to lay out and plant the public grounds of the Capitol, the White House, and the Smithsonian buildings. He was employed in these and other professional labors, when he set out for Newport, leaving Newburgh on 28 July, 1852, in the steamer “Henry Clay.” The boat entered into a contest with the “Armenia,” and when near Yonkers was discovered to be on fire. Mr. Downing perished in his efforts to save other passengers. ”