NEW PARK. 63 



There were a number of strangers, and some we observed with 

 note-books and portfolios, who seemed to have come from a dis- 

 tance to study in the garden. The summer-houses, lodges, 

 bridges, etc., were all well constructed, and of undecaying mate- 

 rials. One of the bridges which we crossed was of our country- 

 man REMINGTON'S patent, an extremely light and graceful 

 erection. 



I obtained most of the following information from the head 

 working-gardener. 



The site of the park and garden was, ten years ago, a flat, 

 clay farm. It was placed in the hands of Mr. PAXTON, in June, 

 1844, by whom it was roughly laid out in its present form by 

 June of the following year.* Carriage roads, thirty-four feet 

 wide, with borders of ten feet, and walks varying in width, were 

 first drawn and made. The excavation for a pond was also im- 

 mediately undertaken, and the earth obtained from these sources 

 used for making mounds and to vary the surface, which has been 

 done with much naturalness. The whole ground was thoroughly 

 under-drained, the minor drains of stone, the main of tile. By 

 these sufficient water is obtained to fully supply the pond, or 

 lake, as they call it, which is from twenty to forty feet wide, and 

 about three feet deep, and meanders for a long distance through 

 the garden. It is stocked with aquatic plants, gold fish, and 

 swans. 



The roads are macadamized. On each side of the carriage 

 way, and of all the walks, pipes for drainage are laid, which com- 

 municate with deep main drains that run under the edge of all 

 the mounds or flower beds. The walks are laid first with six 

 inches of fine broken stone, then three inches cinders, and the 

 surface with six inches of fine rolled gravel. All the stones on 



* Mr. Kemp has the credit of the design with the public. I suppose that he was em- 

 ployed by Paxton to perfect his plan and superintend the construction 



