CHAP. VIII.] FINSBUEY CIKCUS. 75 



As an open area it is of priceless value to the citizens, for all experience 

 shows that open spaces are of paramount consequence to secure the health 

 of the inhabitants of the City. The area of this open space is so arranged 

 that it forms a complete semicircle, with a south aspect on one side, which 

 is protected against all cold winds, and on which every ray from the sun 

 can in the cold spring months fall. 



At that period of the year hundreds of the young and tender, of the 

 old and infirm, of the sick and weak, resort to this delightful sheltered 

 spot to enjoy the air and genial breezes. 



The centre constitutes a circle planted with exquisite taste with the 

 choicest trees, and forms a tout-ensemble which might be admired in any 

 part of the world. It challenges for beauty the garden of any square in 

 London, and it is the admiration and astonishment of foreigners as an 

 affair of private enterprise, and not a creation of the State. 



A return made by the gardener states that it contains three trees 60 

 feet high, and 180 feet in the circle of the head ; 20 trees between 45 and 

 55 feet high ; 34 trees between 35 and 45 feet high ; 60 trees between 25 

 and 35 feet high; and 107 trees between 15 and 30 feet high; besides 

 upwards of 700 fine shrubs and several beautiful weeping trees, all of more 

 than half a century of growth. The effect of trees in the centre of towns 

 cannot be too much appreciated. They carry up large quantities of water 

 into the over-dried atmosphere, and this little forest of trees must play an 

 important and beneficial part to the neighbourhood. 



At the present time the City is too crowded, and contains by far too 

 few open spaces and trees. There are (it is true) two trees in the Bank of 

 England, and one in Cheapside, two or three smaller ones in St. Paul's- 

 churchyard, and a few others scattered about, but where are the trees 

 which we possess in Finsbury Circus ? 



Nevertheless, regardless of beauty, healthfulness, or of any considera- 

 tion but gain, a speculative terminus has been projected to utterly annihilate 

 Finsbury Circus, with its beautiful gardens and excellent residences ; but, 

 as such a garden could never be formed in our time, it behoves all who 

 reside in the City to be up and stirring to avert a calamity which cannot 

 be remedied during the days the present generation may reasonably expect 

 to live. Half a century has passed away while these trees have made their 

 growth. Half a century would be required for a second Finsbury Circus, 

 even could a suitable space be found. 



As long as London stands professional men must live within its 

 precincts. Finsbury Circus is in one of the few spots adapted for their 

 purpose, and many of its residents are in dismay, asking each other where 

 they can find a suitable habitation. The Bank of England, the banking- 

 houses, the large mercantile firms, must have residents to protect the 

 wealth therein deposited, and where can the daily constitutional walk be so 

 well taken as in Finsbury Circus ? 



If a great central railroad terminus is to be made to bring persons 

 from everywhere and take them everywhere, let those who live in London 

 exact that by its construction an additional lung be created for the City, 

 that disease may be lessened and the value of life increased. I am, &c., 



ALFRED SMEE, 

 7, FINSBURT CIRCUS, A Director of Finsbury Circus. 



Dec. 24th, 1860. 



