SEPTEMBER. 417 



willows, &c., and appropriated to the swans. The trees, 

 shrubs, and flowers are nearly the same, but the conifers are 

 doing better than at Birkenhead. The cost of the improve- 

 ments I did not learn ; as yet it has not been a remunerating 

 enterprise, but it is hoped it ultimately will. The proprietor 

 is now building eight fine villas to lease. 



From the park there are several fine prospects ; the Mersey, 

 dotted with its thousand sails from all climes, the hills of 

 Cheshire, and the mountains of Wales, in addition to the 

 beautiful surrounding wooded scenery. Prom the entrances 

 it is but a short walk to a deep and densely wooded ravine, 

 reaching down to the Mersey, named The Dingle, and owned 

 by J. B. Brooks, Esq., brother of the proprietor of Prince's 

 Park. The public are admitted to this delightful dell on 

 Wednesdays and Thursdays. I was there on one of these 

 days, and could not but exclaim with the poet, — 



" Fairer spot, 

 Thou giv'st not, England, to the tasteful eye, 

 Nor to the heart more soothing," 



than this enchanting dell. The Dingle. 



Mr. James Scott has charge of Prince's Park and the estate 

 of Mr. Yates, and took great pleasure in showing me through 

 them, and affording me all the information I desired. 



THE BOTANIC GARDENS. 



About half a mile beyond the Prince's Park are the Botanic 

 Gardens, originally containing about eleven acres of land, 

 and lately has received an addition of twenty acres more, the 

 most of which will be laid out in lawns and walks for public 

 recreation. The garden is laid out geometrically, the plants 

 grouped in classes, and looking well. The greenhouses are 

 about three hundred feet long, and well stocked Avith the 

 rare plants ; among them a fine collection of Sikkim rhodo- 

 dendrons. 



The curator, Mr. Henry Shepherd, informed me there are 

 about 8000 plants in the collection ; among them a Chinese 

 Wistaria, measuring thirty-four yards long on the wall, and 

 twelve feet high. This garden was commenced in 1801, 



VOL. XXI. NO. IX. 53 



