XX INTRODUCTION. 



where the chief commerce of this great empire is carried on, 

 and square miles of densely packed regions are no more 

 benefited by them than if they never existed. I believe 

 that, by the diversion of all needless expenditure from the 

 parks, and by converting this and all the future money that 

 can be spared, to the improvement of the densely crowded 

 parts, we may effect an admirable change for the better. 

 The parks are now managed on a scale which is quite un- 

 justifiable, if we take into consideration the many miserable 

 quarters of London which are utterly neglected. It must 

 be understood, however, that no imputation is here made 

 against their practical management; but the system of 

 richly embellishing them whilst paying no attention to im- 

 provements better calculated to humanize our existence in 

 towns, is unwise in every way. 



Everybody conversant with the London parks must have 

 noticed the great display of tender flowers and costly garden- 

 ing which has been presented in them for some years back. 

 This decoration is of such a nature that it has to be renewed 

 everyyear ; andin every case a set of glass-houses, with all their 

 consequent expense for fuel and labour, must be maintained 

 for each park. On this principle a spot of ground not larger 

 than a table may annually cost several pounds for its embel- 

 lishment. There is nothing about the system more notice- 

 able and objectionable than its growth. Each park is ap- 

 proaching more and more the character of a costly garden, 

 while for the want of a few hardy trees, a patch of green 

 sward, and a spread of gravel to act as a playground for 

 children instead of the gutter, many close districts of London 

 are so foul and cheerless as to be a byeword all over the 

 world. It is perfectly natural that the superintendents of 

 our parks should each wish to make the one under his charge 

 as attractive as the others, from a mere gardening point of 

 view ; and it is even more natural that the authorities should 

 accept the opinions of those officials as the most trustworthy 

 on such matters ; but it should be the duty of both to consult 

 the public interest above all things, and that interest points 

 to a complete alteration. It is always unpleasant to reduce 

 an establishment, and doubtless it would be hard for the gar- 



