1894.] ESSAYS. 53 



" It is the finest botanic garden in tlie world." A large part of the 

 plants here raised have to be grown wholly or partially under glass, 

 hence there are many houses for this purpose, some of them very 

 large, aud one, the Palm House, is of itself a Winter Garden. In 

 this house the problem of modifying and regulating the heat rays of 

 the sun seems to have been solved by the use of colored glass. 

 These grounds are free to the public and are largely frequented by 

 the middle classes. 



Regent's Park contains 470 acres and was used in Elizabeth's time 

 as a huntiug ground. It contains at the present time the gardens of 

 the Zoiilogical Society and those of the Royal Botanic Society. The 

 hxtter holds meetings of great interest, for reading papers and dis- 

 cussing subjects connected .with botany and kindred matters. Their 

 gardens contain about 18 acres, in which are 4,000 or 5,000 species 

 of hardy herbaceous plants flourishing in open air, and glass houses 

 containing about 3,000 more. In May, June, and July floral exhibi- 

 tions take place, and 3,000 medals are distributed, ranging in value 

 from a few shilliugs to £20 each. One thousand pounds are annually 

 spent in encouraging the growth and acclimation of rare plants. The 

 Zoological Gardens contain one of tl^e best collections of animated 

 nature in the world. The individuals of this collection are kei)t 

 under their native conditions as far as possible. 



Besides the London parks already mentioned are many others, 

 generally smaller than those mentioned, the whole within the Metro- 

 politan District embracing over 3,000 acres. 



Hampton Court Palace and grounds connected therewith, situated 

 some 12 miles up the Thames from Hyde Park, are of great interest. 

 In the court the grass is kept so as to make a perfect velvet lawn, 

 and in this lawn designs are cut and filled with blooming plants, the 

 tuberous begonias being used to perfection. Adjoining these grounds 

 is Bushy Park, with its celebrated avenue, more than a mile in length, 

 200 yards in breadth, and lined on either side with five rows of 

 magnificent horse chestnuts, very tall and rich in foliage. The horse 

 chestnut seems to be a favorite shade tree, both ra England and 

 France, evidently growing with much more luxuriance than in New 

 P^ngland. Near the palace is the celebrated "Maze," a labyrinth of 

 walks bordered with shrubbery and flowers, and if one attempts to 

 "thread" it he is very likely to seek aid that he may find his way out. 



England, with its moist climate, is peculiarly adapted to the growth 

 and maintenance of beautiful public and private grounds, and the 

 tastes of the people, cultivated for many generations, lead them to 



