The Open Air 



Brighton; the strong light is evidently one of the 

 causes of its healthfulness to those who need change. 

 There is no such glowing light elsewhere along the 

 south coast; these things are very local. 



A demand has been made for trees, to plant the 

 streets and turn them into boulevards for shade, than 

 which nothing could be more foolish. It is the dry- 

 ness of the place that gives it its character. After a 

 storm, after heavy rain for days, in an hour the 

 pavements are not only dry but clean ; no dirt, sticky 

 and greasy, remains. The only dirt in Brighton, for 

 three-fourths of the year, is that made by the water- 

 carts. Too much water is used, and a good clean road 

 covered with mud an inch thick in August ; but this 

 is not the fault of Brighton it is the lack of observa- 

 tion on the part of the Cadi who ought to have noticed 

 the wretched condition of ladies' boots when com- 

 pelled to cross these miry promenades. Trees are 

 not wanted in Brighton; it is the peculiar glory of 

 Brighton to be treeless. Trees are the cause of damp, 

 they suck down moisture, and fill a circle round them 

 with humidity. Places full of trees are very trying 

 in spring and autumn even to robust people, much 

 more so to convalescents and delicate persons. Have 

 nothing to do with trees, if Brighton is to retain its 

 value. Glowing light, dry, clear, and clean air, 

 general dryness these are the qualities that rendered 

 Brighton a sanatorium; light and glow without 

 oppressive moist heat ; in winter a clear cold. Most 

 terrible of all to bear is cold when the atmosphere is 

 saturated with water. If any reply that trees have 

 no leaves in winter and so do not condense moisture, 

 I at once deny the conclusion; they have no leaves, 

 but they condense moisture nevertheless. This is 

 effected by the minute twigs, thousands of twigs and 



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