INTRODUCTORY 3 



remains to be achieved in that direction before their 

 capabilities will have been thoroughly developed. The 

 opportunity is great, and if only the best use can be 

 made of it London Parks could be the most beautiful 

 as well as the most useful in the world. It is impossible 

 to praise or criticise them collectively, as they have 

 different origins, are administered by separate bodies, 

 and have distinct functions to perform. It cannot be 

 denied that the laying out in some and the planting in 

 other cases could be improved. Plans could be carried 

 out with more taste than is sometimes shown, and new 

 ideas be encouraged, but on the whole there is so much 

 that is excellent and well done that there is a great deal 

 to be proud of. 



The various open spaces in London can easily be 

 grouped into classes. First there are the Royal Parks, 

 with a history and management of their own ; then there 

 are all the Parks either created or kept up by the London 

 County Council, and most of the commons and other 

 large open spaces are in their jurisdiction also, though 

 a few parks and recreation grounds are under the 

 borough councils. Municipal bodies for the most 

 part take charge of all the disused burial grounds con- 

 verted into gardens, though some are maintained by 

 the parish or the rector. Then there is another class 

 of garden which must be included, namely, all the 

 squares of London, as, although few are open to the 

 public, they form no insignificant proportion of the 

 unbuilt area. 



All through London there are survivals of old 

 gardens, which are still either quiet and concealed, or 

 thrown open to the public. Such are the grounds of 

 the Charterhouse, of Chelsea Hospital, or of the Foundling 



