306 Remarks on Mr. Billington's Plan for 



cil having had it in their possession four months, although re- 

 peated applications were made for it. I also sent with the plan a 

 criticism on the plan approved by the council, headed by an in- 

 troductory letter; and, although I have reason to believe advan- 

 tage has been taken of the suggestions there given, I have not so 

 much as received a reply to my letter. To me this appears very 

 strange, being, for any thing I know, on friendly terms with all 

 the gentlemen forming the council ; and what I have done having 

 been gratuitous, and with a view to benefit the institution. 



The site fixed on for these gardens offers a capability, I believe, 

 of their being formed equal to any yet in England ; and, there- 

 fore, the best advice ought to have been obtained. 



Knowstrop, near Leeds, Nov. 2. 1838. 



Art. II. Remarks on Mr. Billington's Plan for the Leeds Zoological 

 and Botanical Gardens, in a Letter to the Council. By Joshua 

 Major, Landscape-Gardener. 



" Gentlemen, 



" I had the privilege, a few days ago, of looking over the en- 

 graved plan {fig. 61.) adopted by you for laying out the intended 

 Leeds Zoological and Botanical Gardens; and, having given 

 this design a careful perusal, I beg to hand you my observations 

 respecting it. Having myself so long been an advocate for 

 providing Leeds with public pleasure-gardens, this will be a 

 sufficient excuse for the liberty I have taken ; and the more so, 

 as I consider the situation fixed on as admitting of gardens 

 being formed in it superior to any public garden yet seen in 

 England. Add to this, that I consider the plan before me as 

 very defective in its arrangements, and ill calculated to effect 

 the object in view, and hence I feel it my duty to endeavour to 

 point out the errors which. I think it contains. I have sent the 

 plan (j%. 69.) which I left for your inspection some time ago 

 (for laying out the Leeds Gardens), as, perhaps, by referring 

 to it, some of my observations will be better understood. 



" I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, 



" Knosthorpe, Feb. 9. 1838. Joshua Major." 



References to fig. 6 1 . 

 Mr. Billington's Design for the Leeds Zoological and Botanical Gardens. 



I, Principal entrance from Leeds. 2, Orangery, &c. 3,4, Green-houses. 

 5, 6, Conservatories. 7, Large fountain. 8, Large conservatory for palms, &c. 



9, 10, Structure appropriated to plants of temperate climates, with birds intermixed, and to be 

 enclosed with moveable sashes if required. 



II, 12, Conservatories appropriated to tropical fruiting plants. 



13, Zoological department appropriated to zoological specimens. 



14, Lake with island and rustic bridge 15, Rosary. 



16, Herbaceous plants, arranged according to the natural system. 



17, Lake with islands for waterfowl, with a fountain on the largest one. 



18, Entrance lodge from Burley. 



Note. The plants forming the arboretum are to be distributed according to their genera, as 

 arranged by Linnaeus. 



