INTRODUCTORY 19 



attended. A series of drawings and plans of the Mile 

 End Road and Shadwell, as they are, and as they might 

 be, were prepared, and the cost of such transformations 

 was worked out. These were exhibited in the hopes of 

 awakening the interest of the Corporation who owns the 

 site of the disused market in Shadwell, and of causing 

 more to be done in the Mile End Road. It appears that 

 with a comparatively small expenditure and ultimate loss, 

 these plans could be realised, and the physical and moral 

 conditions of the whole neighbourhood improved. 



Every year it is further to get into the country 

 from the centres of population, and the necessity of 

 improving existing open spaces becomes all the greater. 

 By improving it is not meant to suggest that what are 

 sometimes called improvements should be carried out ; 

 grander band-stands, handsome railings, more asphalt 

 paths or stiff concrete ponds. No, it is only more 

 intelligent planting, grouping for artistic effect, and 

 arranging to demonstrate the wonders of nature in 

 spaces already in existence, and to suggest what could 

 be done to cheer and brighten the dark spots of the 

 city. 



The country round London has always been a good 

 district for wild flowers ; the varied soils, aspects, and 

 levels all go to make it a propitious spot for botanising. 

 Many places now covered with streets were a few genera- 

 tions ago a mass of wild flowers. The older herbalists — 

 Gerard, Johnson, and their friends — used to search the 

 neighbourhood of London for floral treasures, and inci- 

 dentally in their works the names of these friends, such 

 as Mr. James Clarke and Mr. Thomas Smith, " Apothe- 

 caries of London," and their "search for rare plants" 

 are mentioned. Gerard was constantly on the watch, 



