378 EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. [December, 



pure air that" they cannot spend a holiday better than on Keston 

 and Hayes Common, especially in August^ when the Heaths and 

 dwarf Furze are in full bloom. These plants, the loveliest in 

 Florals garland, give to the foreground scene its beautiful and 

 picturesque effect. In this spot the Arabian chemist might find 

 the true elixir of health without the aid of his crucibles and 

 other alchemical apparatus. This locality is Avarraly recom- 

 mended to all valetudinarians who expect to receive benefit from 

 change of scene, fresh pure air, and moderate exercise. 



Keston Common is distant an easy walk from the Bromley 

 station of the London, Chatham, and Dover railway, or the Mid- 

 Kent, as it is sometimes called. The easiest way to go is along 

 Bromley Common on the Tunbridge road, which goes by Farn- 

 borough and Sevenoaks. This tract between Bromley and 

 Keston is like many other tracts in England, once common, but 

 now enclosed and cultivated. Keston Common has almost dis- 

 appeared within the last few years. Its namesake of Bromley 

 probably succumbed to the builder, planter, and cultivator nearly 

 a century ago. A bit of Hayes Common remains, and a charm- 

 ing bit it is. As some people who go far in quest of rural 

 quietness and rustic scenery may not know that there is such a 

 lovely little nook of country scenery within about a dozen miles 

 of the Metropolis, they are hereby invited to go and see it. 

 They will not be disappointed, for there are, even in England, 

 but few prettier views than the source of the Ravensbourne, 

 almost opposite to the gate and lodge to Holwood Park. The 

 view also from the hill on the road to Cudham is very extensive if 

 not very diversified. To the botanist the wild-flowers to be seen 

 here will be a sufficient inducement to visit this part of Kent. 



The headspring of the Ravensbourne is surrounded by a stone 

 wall, and it is boarded over about a foot or two under the surface 

 of the water, and the water flows into two ponds, or into the upper 

 and lower reservoirs, if the water be reserved for economical 

 purposes. 



On the edge of the road, or on the bank at the base of 

 the park-paling, numerous examples of the Fungus tribe appeared. 

 This season, 1860,, has been more congenial to this order of ve- 

 getation than to the cereals. Both here and within the pre- 

 cincts of the park, pedestrians even of the plebeian order may 

 enter and disport themselves, to speak poetically, on the soft 



