Chap. VIII.] SQUARES, TLACKS, ETC. Ill 



to ns in dealing with such important open spaces in large towns, 

 The Square and Tour St. Jacques well illustrate judicious city 

 improvements. This tower, originally part of an old church, and 

 hidden from view by tall, narrow, dirty streets which crowded 

 around it, is now one of the most striking objects in Paris ; while 

 the garden is a source of much pleasure and benefit to the people 

 in this central neighbourhood. 



The first thing that strikes the visitor in this square is its 

 freshness, perfect keeping, and the numbers of people in it, reading, 

 working, or playing. " The same reason," it is said in ' Guesses 

 at Truth,' " which calls for the restoration of our village greens, 

 calls no less imperatively in London for the throwing open of the 

 gardens in all the squares. What briglit refreshing spots would 

 these be in the midst of our huge In'ick and stone lal)yrinths, if we 

 saw them crowded on summer evenings with the tradespeople and 

 mechanics from the neighbouring streets, and if the poor children 

 who now grow up amid the filth and impurities of the alleys and 

 courts, were allowed to run about these playgrounds, so much 

 healthier both for the body and the mind ! We have them all 

 ready, a word may open them. At present the gardens in our 

 squares are painful mementoes of exclusiveness. They who need 

 tliem the least, monopolize them. All the fences and walls by 

 which this exclusiveness bars itself out from 

 the sympathies of common humanity must 

 be cast down." The aspect of this square 

 with its wnde walks thronged by people, 

 would have well realized that writer's ideal 

 of what a square should be. No gardens 

 contain more beautiful or diverse objects 

 than are here for all who will enjoy them. Portion of Marsino/ a raru 

 It is almost as attractive to the passer-by as •^^'""■'■' '"" ''"'^''^ '"■ 

 to those inside, for instead of a clump of shrubs of commonplace 

 character cutting it oft' from view, there is a belt of grass of 

 varying widtli, kept perfectly fresh and green, and on it here and 

 there large beds and groups usually distinct from each other. 

 Now it is a fine bed of the dwarf Fan-palm, as easily seen from 

 the street as in the square ; now a group of shade-giving hardy 

 trees, furnished beneath with evergreens, and finished oft" with 

 flowers; next, a mixed Ix-d of Dahlias and other tall autumn 



