SQUARES 241 



which he says was made by Aiglio, an eminent land- 

 scape painter, in 18 19. The arrangement is quite distinct 

 from other squares — small paths, partly hidden by 

 groups of bushes and larger trees, all round the edge, 

 and from them twisting walks diverge towards the 

 centre. At their meeting-point now stands a shell 

 from the battle of Alma. The Square with its nice 

 trees, standard hollies, and even a few conifers and 

 carefully-planted beds, is further original in possessing 

 a beadle. This gentleman, who lives in a delightful 

 little house, with a portico in which the visitors to 

 the Square can shelter from the rain, looks most im- 

 posing in his uniform and gold-braided hat, and adds 

 greatly to the old-world appearance of the place. It 

 is sad to think the leases all fall in within the next 

 few years, and this quaint personage and vast garden 

 (it is 3I acres) and funny little houses may all dis- 

 appear from London. 



It is impossible in such a hasty glance to give 

 more than a very faint sketch of the story of the 

 squares, or a mere suggestion of the romance attached 

 to them. Though the gardening in many leaves much 

 to be desired, it is well to appreciate things as they 

 are, and enjoy to the full the pleasure the sight of 

 the huge planes in Berkeley or Bedford Squares, or 

 Lincoln's Inn Fields, can bring even to the harassed 

 Londoner. When the sun shines through the large 

 leaves, and the chequered light and shade play on the 

 grass beneath, and sunbeams even light up the massive 

 black stems, which defy the injurious fogs, they possess 

 a soothing and refreshing power. They, indeed, add to 

 the enjoyment, the health, and the beauty of London. 



