516 LETTERS FROM ENGLAND. 



collection, consisting of about a thousand different species and varie- 

 ties, is arranged according to the natural system, so that the bota- 

 nist may study classification, as well as structure and growth, with 

 the whole clearly before his eyes. As the great point is to show, 

 the natural character of the different trees and shrubs, they are all 

 planted quite separately, and allowed room to grow on all sides ; 

 and no pruning which would prevent the natural development of 

 the habits of the tree or shrub, is permitted. 



The whole arboretum was laid out and planted ten years ago 

 in 1840; so that, of course, one can, now, very well judge of its 

 value and its effects. 



That it is, and will be, one of the most useful and instructive 

 public gardens in the world, there can be no doubt ; for it certainly 

 combines the greatest possible amount of instruction, with a great 

 deal of pleasure for all classes, and especially the working classes. 

 That it may appeal largely to the sympathies of the latter, even to 

 those to whom all trees are alike, there is a fine piece of smooth 

 lawn (added, I think, to the original eleven acres), expressly used as 

 a skittle ground, a favorite English game with ball ; at which 

 numbers of men and boys were playing while I was there. 



As regards taste, I do not hesitate to confess my disappointment. 

 There is no other beauty in these grounds, than what grows out of 

 the entire surface being covered with grass, neatly mown, with 

 broad straight walks through the central portions, and a series of 

 narrower covered walks, making a connected circuit of the whole. 

 The peculiarity of the design belongs to the surface of the ground. 

 This was naturally a level ; but in order to produce the greatest pos- 

 sible intricacy and variety, in a limited space, it was thrown up, 

 here and there, into ridges from six to ten feet high. These ridges 

 are not abrupt, but gentle ; and the walks are led between them, so 

 that even when there are no intervening trees and shrubs, you could 

 not easily see a person in one walk from another one parallel to it, 

 though only twenty or thirty feet off. If these ridges, or undula- 

 tions in the surface, had been cleverly planted with groups and 

 masses of trees and shrubs, the effect would have been very good ; 

 but dotted as they are with scattered single trees and shrubs, the re- 

 mit is a little harsh, with neither the ease of nature nor the symme- 



