170 THE MAGAZINE OF HOKTICULTUKE. 



ded with the villas and mansions of the aristocracy, some of 

 which are very fine, especially Stafford House and Bridge- 

 water House, the latter being a particularly fine specimen of 

 the Italian style, with a garden arranged architecturally ; the 

 south side is separated from St. James's Park by the Mall, 

 and on the southwest side are her Majesty's gardens. 



This park is an area of 56 acres, nearly destitute of trees 

 and shrubs, which was at one period larger, but was reduced 

 by George HI. to enlarge the gardens attached to Buckingham 

 Palace. 



From the high ground at the northeast corner of the park, 

 are obtained commanding and beautiful views into Surrey, 

 including the Norwood and Wimbledon Hills, and some more 

 distant prospects. 



The walks are generally guarded by hurdles, and the lawns 

 pastured. One walk, running parallel with Piccadilly, has a 

 row of trees on each side of it. The paths have no grace, 

 and are totally destitute of design or taste ; they seem to have 

 been located wherever there were old footpaths ; they are 

 twelve feet wide. 



The plantations are meagre ; the trees generally are from 

 twenty to forty feet high, consisting of three or four of the 

 common kinds. There are but two small plantations of 

 shrybs in the whole park, and those in the angles next to the 

 gateway. 



A rectangular reservoir of one of the London water works, 

 (which is soon to be filled up,) occupies the highest point of 

 the northeast corner, from which the ground slopes gradually 

 to the south, two thirds of its width, to a ravine, beyond which 

 rises a slight eminence, dignified by the name of Constitution 

 Hill. 



The principal entrance is at the northwest corner. Opposite 

 Hyde Park entrance is a triumphal arch composed of a Co- 

 rinthian colonnade, an arch behind, an attic on top supporting 

 an equestrian statue of Wellington on horseback, calmly sur- 

 veying the scene before him, a very superior work of art ; 

 and while looking at it I could not help contrasting it with 

 the equestrian statue, by Mills, of Gen. Jackson, in front of 



