THE 



PARKS, PROMENADES, 



GARDENS OF PARIS, 



The city swims in verdure, beautiful 



As Venice on the waters, the sea-swan. 



What bosky gardens dropped in close-walled courts 



Like plums in ladies' laps, who start and laugh ! 



What miles of streets that run on after trees, 



Still carrying all the necessary shops, 



Those open caskets with the jewels seen ! 



And trade is art, and art's philosophy, 



In Paris. Auroka Leigh. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE CHAMPS ELYSEES AND THE GARDENS OF THE LOUVRE 

 AND THE TUILERIES. 



If not already the brightest, airiest, and most beautiful of 

 all cities, Paris is in a fair way to become so ; and the 

 greatest part of her beauty is due to her gardens and her 

 trees. A city of palaces indeed; but which is the most 

 attractive — the view up that splendid avenue and garden 

 stretching from the heart of the city to the Arc de Triomphe, 

 or that of the finest architectural features of Paris ? What 

 would the new boulevards of white stone be without the 

 softening and refreshing aid of those long lines of well- 

 cared-for trees that everywhere rise around the buildings, 

 helping them somewhat as the grass does the buttercups ? 

 The makers of new Paris — who deserve the thanks of the 

 inhabitants of all the filthy cities of the world for setting 

 such an example — answer these questions for us by pulling 

 down close and filthy quarters, where the influences of sweet 

 air and green trees were never felt, and the sun could 



