A TALK ABOUT PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS. 143 



many of those at home who would most enjoy such places, and that 

 they would be given up to those who would abuse the privilege and 

 despoil the grounds. Do you think it would be possible, for instance, 

 to preserve fine flowers in such a place, as in Germany ? 



Trav. I have not the slightest doubt of it. How can I have, 

 after going on board such magnificent steamboats as the Isaac New- 

 ton or the Bay State, all fitted up with the same luxury of velvet 

 ottomans, rich carpets, mirrors, and the costliest furniture, that I 

 have found in palaces abroad, and all at the use of millions of every 

 class of American travellers, from the chimney-sweep to the Presi- 

 dent, and yet this profuse luxury not abused in the slightest manner ! 



Ed. But the more educated of our people would they, think 

 you, resort to public pleasure-grounds daily, for amusement ? Would 

 not the natural exclusiveness of our better-halves, for instance, taboo 

 this medley of " all sorts of people that we don't know ? " 



Trav. I trust too much in the good sense of our women to be- 

 lieve it. Indeed, I find plenty of reasons for believing quite the op- 

 posite. I see the public watering-places filled with all classes of so- 

 ciety, partaking of the same pleasures, with as much zest as in any 

 part of the world; and you must remember that there is no forced 

 intercourse in the daily reunions in a public garden or park. There 

 is room and space enough for pleasant little groups or circles of all 

 tastes and sizes, and no one is necessarily brought into contact with 

 uncongenial spirits ; while the daily meeting of families, who ought 

 to sympathize, from natural congeniality, will be more likely to bring 

 them together than any other social gatherings. Then the advantage 

 to our fair countrywomen in health and spirits, of exercise in the 

 pure open air, amid the groups of fresh foliage and flowers, in a 

 chat with friends, and pleasures shared with them, as compared with 

 a listless lounge upon a sofa at home, over the last new novel or 

 pattern of embroidery ! When I first returned home, I assure you, 

 I was almost shocked at the extreme delicacy, and apparent univer- 

 sal want of health in my countrywomen, as compared with the same 

 classes abroad. It is, most clearly, owing to the many sedentary, 

 listless hours which they pass within doors ; no out-of-dcor occupa- 

 tions walking considered irksome and fatiguing and almost no 

 parks, pleasure-grounds, or shaded avenues, to tempt fair pedestrians 

 *^ this most healMul and natural exercise. 



