S18 LETTERS FROJt BiNGtiNt). 



this' sketch of the arboretum at Derby, let me gire you ail outliffltt 

 of another garden m the midst of the Kegent's Park, at the west end 

 of London; It cannot, perhdps, be strictly called a public. garden'; 

 it is, more properly, a subscription ffiirdm,' as it was made, and is 

 maintained, by about sixteen hundred membets, who either pay 

 twenty gnineas at the outset, or two guineas a year. The privileges 

 they have, are the free enjoyment of the grounds, conservatories, etc., 

 at all tim8s, and ther admission of their friends (not rnore than two 

 per dayy by tickets. As there is no other way of getting admis- 

 sion (even the fee, that is so all-potent in most cases, does not pre- 

 vail here), of course, very few strangers ever see this ga,i?den— ^the 

 best worth seeing; of its kind, perhaps, in all Europe. As I had, 

 fortmiately, I been one of, the honorary members for some years, I 

 Was glad to, claim my rights, soon after my arrival in London. 



The soenl» as you enter the grounds, is^ extremely beautiful and 

 strikiiig, especially when you recall (what, without an effort, you 

 would certainly forget) that you are in the midst of a. vast city ; ^r, 

 at the most, barely on the borders of it. Here is a large velvet 

 lawn, admirably kept, the surface gently undulatjng,jand Stretching 

 away indefinitely (to all appearance) on either side, losing itself 

 amid belte and groups and masses of shrubs and trees, with winding 

 walks stealing oflf, here and there, in the most inviting manner, to 

 the right and left. At the iend of the broad walk, at the farthei- 

 side of the great lawn, which forms the central feature to the garr 

 den, stands a nofele consei^atory of immense size, with lofty curved, 

 roof; and on either side of it are small hot-houses, full of all the 

 novelties of the day, and all the treasures of the exotic Flora: 



There cannot be a finer contrast, in point of tasteful arrangement 

 and beauty of effect, than that which this garden presents to the 

 arboretum at Derby. They were both formed about the same time, 

 and the extent is not greatly different ; the whole area of this place 

 being only eighteen acres.* Here, the, utmost beauty, variety, and 

 interest are concentrated "within these moderate limits. As you . 

 enter, you are^tniekby the breadth and extent' of th* broa;d velvet 



* It gaios greatly ty being in the midst o^ the Regent's Pai-k, with its 

 botinclaries concealed by thickets, over which the trees in the park make a ' 

 pleasingly indefifiite background. 



