78 AN AMERICAN FARMER IN ENGLAND. 



When we left he obligingly directed us to several objects of 

 interest in the vicinity, and showed us through the market. 

 It is but little less in size, and really appears finer and more 

 convenient than the one I described in Liverpool. 



The roof, which is mostly of glass, is high and airy, and 

 is supported by two rows of slender iron columns, giving to 

 the interior the appearance of three light and elegant arcades. 

 The contrivances to effect ventilation and cleanliness are very 

 complete. It was built by the town, upon land given to it 

 for the purpose, and cost 8175,000. 



The baker had begged of us not to leave Birkenhead 

 without seeing their new park, and at his suggestion we left 

 our knapsacks with him, and proceeded to it. As we ap 

 proached the entrance, we were met by women and girls, 

 who, holding out a cup of milk, asked us &quot; Will you take a 

 cup of milk, sirs? good, cool, sweet, cow s milk, gentlemen, 

 or right warm from the ass /&quot; And at the gate was a herd 

 of donkeys, some with cans of milk strapped to th$m, others 

 saddled and bridled, to be let for ladies and children to ride. 



The gateway, which is about a mile and a half from the 

 ferry, and quite back of the town, is a great, massive block 

 of handsome Ionic architecture, standing alone, and unsup 

 ported by any thing else in the vicinity, and looking, as I 

 think, heavy and awkward. There is a sort of grandeur 

 about it that the English are fond of, but which, when it is 

 entirely separate from all other architectural constructions, 

 always strikes me unpleasantly. It seems intended as an 

 impressive preface to a great display of art within ; but here, 

 as well as at Eaton Park, and other places I have since seen, 

 it is not followed up with great things, the grounds immedi 

 ately within the grand entrance being very simple, and appa 

 rently rather overlooked by the gardener. There is a large 

 archway for carriages, and two smaller ones for those on foot, 



