14 THE PAEKS AND GARDENS OP PARIS. [Chap. I. 



parallel with the margin. Frequently it may be found desirable 

 to approach the water edge for the sake of a view, or for other 

 reasons. In such cases it is right to approach it boldly, and to 

 let the gravel touch and run into it. Then it should recede again 

 and leave the margin green, quiet, and artistic in outline and 

 gradation. It is vexing to notice that these eternal and ever 

 visible serpentine walks steal all beauty from the margins of 

 the water. 



Forming racecourses in important positions in public parks 

 is surely a great mistake. France is large enough to accom- 

 modate her racing men in the way usual in other countries. The 

 creation of a new steeplechase-course in the very best position in 

 the Bois, just beyond the top end of the upper lake, is as vulgar 

 an error as can well be committed in a public garden ! Imagine 

 the best part of the Eegent's Park in London, or the Central 

 Park, New York, prostituted to the purposes of "suburban 

 meetings " ! And not only is this park thus misused from time to 

 time, but a large space railed in with a " grand stand " and all 

 its appurtenances are in permanent occupation of what, three years 

 ago, was one of the most beautiful spots round Paris. It is un- 

 worthy of a city to allow its finest open spaces to be thus violated. 

 Apart from the incongruity of a great city or state taking such 

 doubtful gambling business under its care, there is the objection 

 that the great numbers attracted are likely to do much damage to 

 the planting, as, indeed, they often have done on crowded days in 

 this park. The older Longchamps course, almost apart as it is, 

 might have been excused in a people anxious to naturalise 

 " meetings " that English people even dread coming near their 

 houses ; but this creation of a second racecourse in the same park 

 is no credit to the city authorities. 



Trees and Avenues in the Bois de Boulogne. — It would be 

 impossible to find nobler roads and avenues than in the Bois de 

 Boulogne ; but they are bordered by the usual badly grown trees 

 seen everywhere in Paris. There may be some reason for being 

 satisfied with mere sticks in narrow streets and in gas-saturated 

 earth, but not here ! Trees are planted everywhere to give shade, 

 but they are so managed that they never afi'ord any such pleasant 

 shelter from the sun's rays as may be enjoyed under tall spreading 

 trees. The shade, forsooth, from these starvelings is not to be 



