THE ENGLISH PARKS. 25 



of 1202 acres. To these should be added the large, elegant, and 

 highly-embellished public squares in various parts of London, 

 and even in the most crowded parts of the old city, which, in 

 all, probably exceed 200 acres. These magnificent parks, it 

 must be remembered, are in the midst of a populous town, 

 including upwards of two millions of inhabitants, and are open 

 to the public for exercise, health, and amusement. They are, at 

 the same time, to a degree stocked with sheep and cows. 



It is impossible to over-estimate the value to health of these 

 open spaces, and the amount of recreation and rational enjoyment 

 which they afford to this vast population. In each of the large 

 parks Kensington, Hyde Park, and St. James s there are 

 extensive bodies of water, artificial lakes, in some places adorned 

 with elegant bridges, and in St. James s Park studded with 

 pretty islands and shrubbery. Here large varieties of aquatic 

 birds are kept, to the great amusement of the thousands of chil 

 dren, who coax them to the shore with crumbs of bread and cake, 

 the birds being so tame as almost to feed out of their hands, and 

 for the instruction of older heads. There is likewise an exceed 

 ingly beautiful and tasteful cottage, of Gothic architecture, at the 

 end of the lake in St. James s Park, for the residence of the 

 keeper of the birds. There are always to be found in some parts 

 of the parks, or at the keepers different lodges, some cows kept, 

 where a glass of milk, unadulterated and fresh from the fountain, 

 can be had for those persons who, for health or pleasure, seek 

 the delicious beverage in its purity. The numbers and tameness 

 of the birds in these pleasure-grounds is a beautiful circumstance, 

 which it might be well to consider in some other quarters. 

 Their safety and lives are held sacred ; and the birds gratefully, 

 and, to a feeling heart, delightfully acknowledge this kindness 

 by the most expressive confidence, alighting fearlessly in the 

 path before you, as though they would invite you to cultivate 

 their acquaintance. Man, in general, is a great savage, and a 

 ferocious and insatiate animal of prey. He makes continual war 

 upon many of the animals below him, not for subsistence merely, 

 but for pleasure. Plis conduct towards the brute creation shows, 

 too often, how certain he is to abuse unlimited power, and con 

 veys a strong argument against despotic authority. In-deed, his 

 war upon the birds merely as matter of sport, always makes me 

 look upon him with a degree of shuddering, and feel that a man 

 who can find his pleasure in the wanton destruction of little 

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