Chap. VIIL] 



SQUARES, PLACES, ETC. 



125 



opening of most of our squares to the public now, and may long 

 continue so, but in the interest of all it is 'the true plan, and 

 will yet, it is to be hoped, be the rule in all parts of London. 

 The advantages enjoyed by those who " possess keys " are surely 

 not such as need prevent their offering the boon in question to 

 the poorer inhabitants, many of whom, perhaps, seldom have an 

 opportunity of seeing more of nature than is visible in the streets 

 of London. Once devoted to public use, and under intelligent 

 supervision, a modest allowance from the public purse would 

 suffice to convert the squares into beautiful gardens. They 

 would save some from the attractions of the public-house, and 

 keep the world of London children from the gutter. 



Town Sqrtare opened up 



An important subject in,^ connection with squares and city 

 gardens is that of playgrounds. These small spaces, provided for 

 play and rest, form a commendable feature in the Paris squares. 

 They are usually formed by widening the outer walk of the 

 square at each corner, where trees are generally planted so as to 

 afford shade. Here the children play and their nurses work. It 

 is one of the pleasantest sights in Paris to see these playing- 

 places with crowds of happy children on fine days. No system 

 of city-gardening can be good which does not meet this want. It 

 is not enough to have open spaces or beautiful little gardens ; we 

 should keep the children from the filth and dangers of the 

 crowded streets. The best way, in the case of all large cities, is 



