416 



THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



borhood and blessing to the town. That gentleman having 

 conceived the idea of forming a park that should be delight- 

 ful, both as a site for the mansions of the merchants and as a 

 place of recreation for the inhabitants of Liverpool, purchased 

 ninety acres of land for that purpose, for £45,000, from the 

 Earl of Sefton ; and that nobleman, with his wonted gener- 

 osity, contributed one thousand pounds towards beautifying 

 the grounds. 



The place was laid out eight or ten years since, and is yet 

 but in its infancy, but, when we are dead and gone, will the 

 wide-spreading branches of its trees form a pleasant shade to 

 the members of young Liverpool ; along its walks will they 

 wander, and o'er its lake will they smoothly sail, and there 

 will they bless the name of him who left them such a boon. 

 That simple but impressive notice speaks volumes : " If you 

 will carefully avoid walking on the grass, it will remain green 

 and beautiful for you." What an improvement over, and 

 how much more effective is this appeal to the better feelings, 

 than the hackneyed and often unheeded '' Trespassers will 

 be prosecuted with the utmost rigor of the law.'' 



This park was also designed and laid out by Sir Joseph 

 Paxton, and embodies the same general ideas as that at Bir- 

 kenhead, but being a much finer piece of land for landscape 

 gardening purposes. A broad drive surrounds the park, and 

 outside of it are the villa sites, many of which are already 

 occupied with villas and mansions that a prince might be 

 proud to possess. 



Near the centre is a large irregular sheet of water, contam- 

 ing a couple of small islands, the larger one of which is 

 reached by a Chinese bridge, and has on its margin a pretty 

 boat-house with a museum above, and an effectively arranged 

 rockwork. The larger island and a narrow piece adjoining 

 the entire length on one side of the lake is enclosed and laid 

 out in a very beautiful garden, the model of which is pre- 

 served in the museum. This garden is for the exclusive use 

 of the occupants of the surrounding villas, and is kept in su- 

 perb style. 



The small island named Swan's Island is planted with 



