22 LONDON PARKS & GARDENS 



United States of America, where each town provides, in 

 addition to its regular lines of streets, and its main 

 thoroughfares leading straight from the centre to the 

 more suburban parts, a complete system of parks. The 

 more old-fashioned town of Boston was behind the rest, 

 although it contained a few charming public gardens in 

 the heart of the town. Of late years large tracts of 

 low-lying waste grounds have been filled up, and one 

 piece connected with another, until it, too, rejoices in 

 a complete " park system." Chicago, Pittsburgh, and all 

 these modern towns of rapid growth possess a well- 

 ordered " park system." The conditions, the natural 

 aspect of the country, and the climate are so unlike our 

 own that no comparison is fair. Like everything else in 

 the United States, they are on a large scale, and while there 

 is much to admire, and something to learn, there is very 

 little in the points in which they differ from us that 

 could be imitated. London parks and open spaces, taken 

 as a whole, are unrivalled. The history and associations 

 which cluster round each and all of them, would fill 

 volumes if recorded facts were adhered to ; and if the 

 imagination were allowed to run riot within the range of 

 possibility, there would be no limit. Things which have 

 grown gradually as circumstances changed can have no 

 system. Their variety and irregularity is their charm, 

 and no description of either the parks, gardens, or open 

 spaces of London can be given as a whole. Each has 

 its own associations, its own history, and to glance at 

 some of London's bright spots and tell their stories will 

 be the endeavour of these pages. 



