JUNE. 261 



The full extent of this, which is decidedly the finest of 

 the London parks, is nowhere seen, in consequence of the 

 public road crossing it towards the south end, and the circle 

 containing eighteen acres now occupied by the Royal Botanic 

 Garden, the Zoological Gardens on the northwest side, and 

 several villas in different parts of the grounds. 



The natural surface has several noble undulations, that are 

 admirably adapted to the purpose of a park, but which have 

 not been improved in that skilful manner that I expected in a 

 modern work created in this land of refinement in landscape 

 gardening. 



One of the chief features is a long straight walk about a 

 mile in length, forty feet wide, and commencing on the south 

 side opposite Portland Place ; it runs entirely across the park, 

 and on an irregular, ascending grade, until it reaches the 

 summit, which is near the north side. From this point it 

 has a gentle descent to the end. On either side of this walk 

 are four rows of trees, which are all elms towards the upper 

 end ; but, unfortunately, the character is changed at the lower 

 part by the use of a row of horsechestnuts in front, with 

 three rows of limes at the back. The trees are now from 

 twenty-five to thirty feet in height, rather stunted, and some- 

 what crowded. This walk has the same fault of running 

 over an irregular surface as mentioned in my previous letters. 



The plantations are few, thin, and meagre, being totally 

 destitute of shrubs, bushes, and undergrowth generally, to 

 the manifest injury of the park. On the southwestern side 

 is a fine sheet of water, very irregular in form, with its termi- 

 nations well covered, and containing several fine islands 

 planted with trees. The water is crossed by neat wire sus- 

 pension bridges, and its appearance is much enhanced by 

 some fine willows planted along its southern margin, and also 

 by its being in the midst of some fine villas and terraces, 

 from which it receives additional beauty. 



On the north side is a monster heap of earth that was re- 

 moved in forming the lake, and, though planted with trees, 

 it cannot be taken for anything but a spoil-bank, by the most 

 superficial observer. Such things, in such places, are per- 



