MUNICIPAL PARKS 131 



bespeak. A few yards further, and the iron railings of 

 the " Park " come in view. The happy shrill voices of 

 children resound, the swings are in full motion, the seats 

 well filled, and up and down the asphalt walk, old and 

 young are enjoying themselves. When the band plays 

 the place is packed. " I've calculated as many as nine 

 hundred at one time," says the old guardian, who is proud 

 of the place, " and as for the children, you often can't see 

 the ground for them." Yes, this open space of four and 

 a quarter acres is really appreciated. It is difficult for 

 those in easier circumstances to realise what a difference 

 that little patch of green, those few bright flowers, make 

 to the neighbourhood, or the social effect of the summer 

 evenings, when the band and the pleasant trees offer a 

 counter-attraction to the public-house. For some twelve 

 years this little Park has been enjoyed. Formed by the 

 vestry, and kept up by the Royal Borough of Kensington, 

 it greatly pleases, although it scarce can be called beauti- 

 ful. The centre is given over to the children, and the 

 boys have ample room, and the girls and infants keep 

 their twenty-four swings in constant motion. A path 

 twists round the irregular plot, and most of the way is 

 bordered by those London-loving plants, the iris, and 

 the usual groups of smutty bushes. Along the front 

 runs a wide asphalt walk, well furnished with seats, a 

 band-stand half way, and a fountain at one end. Some 

 bedding out with gay flowers is the attraction here. A 

 gardener and a boy keep it in order, while for about ^^20 

 a year a nurseryman supplies all the necessary bedding- 

 out plants. The old guardian sweeps the scraps of 

 paper up and sees the children are not too riotous 

 at the swings. Thus, for no great expense, widespread 

 pleasure is conferred. 



