122 Notes and Recollections of a Tour. 



beautiful landscape spreads out before the eye, comprismg a 

 range of many miles in extent. The view of the town was 

 delightful, and we might have passed a whole day among 

 the many objects which gratify and interest the stranger. 



Our route was for the nearest rail-road, and an omnibus 

 took us through the vale, and thence to Amber gate, about 

 six miles, where we awaited the arrival of the London train, 

 and, at 2| o'clock, we arrived at the great Derby station, at 

 Derby. 



Derby Arboretum. — This Arboretum was laid out and 

 planted under the direction of the late Mr. Loudon, and 

 completed in the autumn of 1840, when it was given, by the 

 great liberality of its proprietor, Mr. Strutt, to the town of 

 Derby, for the purposes of a public garden, for the recrea- 

 tion of its inhabitants ; a noble and munificent present too, 

 and one well worthy of imitation by many of the wealthy 

 individuals of our own country. There is no lack of wealth 

 with us. Munificent legacies have been given for intellectual 

 improvement. And why should not something be done for 

 the health as well as for the mind ; for without the former, of 

 what avail is knowledge ? Few of our cities or large towns, 

 have done any thing towards establishing places for the 

 health and recreation of the inhabitants. Boston with its 

 beautiful Common, and Philadelphia with its elegant squares, 

 stand before other cities ; but in the newer towns which have 

 recently sprung up, there have been scarcely any which have 

 made any provision for gardens or grounds, where the public 

 could resort and breathe the fresh air. We know of no one 

 object so well deserving the attention of men of wealth, who 

 wish to do a noble service to the public, than the formation 

 of public gardens y>ee to all, in crowded towns or cities. 



The Arboretum contains about eleven acres, of a long, 

 narrow, and irregular, shape, on a perfectly level surface, and 

 situated near the outskirts of the town, but where it will be 

 soon shut in by the increasing occupation of the adjoining 

 lands. Mr. Loudon was employed by Mr. Strutt to lay it 

 out and plant it, with a choice collection of trees and shrubs, 

 as an Arboretum. On its completion, a full account of it was 

 published, with a plan, &c., and the proceedings, on its pre- 

 sentation to the town of Derby. 



