MUNICIPAL PARKS 141 



before the King, uncovered, he frequently called to the 

 Citizens, with an audible voice, to behold their Prince 

 and Sovereign." What a scene must the site of Fins- 

 bury Park have presented that May morning. The 

 Londoners, incensed at Gloucester's having taken pos- 

 session of the young King, no doubt meet him with 

 distrust and anger, and while the procession moves on 

 towards the City he allays their suspicions, acting a 

 part to deceive them. 



The trees in Finsbury are beginning to grow up, and 

 the Park is losing the new, bare look which made it un- 

 attractive in its early years. Poplars (fast-growing trees) 

 have been largely used. That is very well for a beginning, 

 but others of a slower growth, but making finer timber, 

 are the trees for the future. There is nothing very 

 special to notice in the general laying out of the grounds, 

 as beyond the avenue of black poplars and the lake, there 

 are no striking features. The view from the high ground, 

 towards Epping, adds to the attractions of this useful 

 open space but not very interesting Park. One of the 

 most pleasing corners is the rock garden, not far from 

 the lake. The plants seem well established and very 

 much at home. The greenhouses, too, are well kept 

 up, and in the gloomy seasons of the year especially 

 are much frequented. 



Clissold Park 



Clissold, or Stoke Newington Park, is one of the 

 parks which has the advantage of having been the 

 grounds of a private house, and enjoys all the benefits 

 of a well-planted suburban demesne. The old trees at 

 once give it a certain cachet that even County Council 

 railings, notice-boards, and bird-cages cannot destroy. 



