A MODEL FOR AMERICAN TOWNS. 81 



were laid in masses of rock-work, and mosses and rock-plants 

 attached to them. The mounds were then planted with 

 shrubs, and heaths and ferns, and the beds with flowering 

 plants. Between these, and the walks and drives, is every 

 where a belt of turf (which, by the way, is kept close cut 

 with short, broad scythes, and shears, and swept with hair- 

 brooms, as we saw). Then the rural lodges, temple, pavilion, 

 bridges, orchestra for a band of instrumental music, &c., were 

 built. And so, in one year, the skeleton of this delightful 

 garden was complete. 



But this is but a small part. Besides the cricket and an 

 archery ground, large valleys were made verdant, extensive 

 drives arranged plantations, clumps, and avenues of trees 

 formed, and a large park laid out. And all this magnifi 

 cent pleasure-ground is entirely, unreservedly, and for ever 

 the people s own. The poorest British peasant is as free 

 to enjoy it in all its parts as the British queen. More 

 than that, the baker of Birkenhead has the pride of an OWNER 

 in it. 



Is it not a grand good thing ? But you are inquiring who 

 paid for it. The honest owners the most wise and worthy 

 townspeople of Birkenhead in the same way that the New- 

 Yorkers pay for &quot; the Tombs,&quot; and the Hospital, and the 

 cleaning (as they amusingly say) of their streets. 



Of the farm which was purchased, one hundred and twenty 

 acres have been disposed of in the way I have described. 

 The remaining sixty acres, encircling the park and garden, 

 were reserved to be sold or rented, after being well graded, 

 streeted, and planted, for private building lots. Several fine 

 mansions are already built on these (having private entrances 

 to the park), and the rest now sell at $1.25 a square yard. 

 The whole concern cost the town between five and six hun 

 dred thousand dollars. It gives employment at present, 



