Whom does the speaker of “Douglass” address directly, and why do you suppose the speaker chooses to do this?

This device blocks an opening along the base/floor of stairs or other walking or working surfaces where materials or body parts might otherwise inadvertently fall through. it should be 4 inches high, with not more than ¼ inch clearance above the floor

Hatchell landscape architecture firm worked on which two of the following projects

[he] let his gaze wander to the swirling water of the stream racing madly beneath his feet. a piece of dancing driftwood caught his attention and his eyes followed it down the current. how slowly it appeared to move! what a sluggish stream! what contrasting words are used to describe the stream in this passage?