is impossible, except by the occupation of the imagination with 

 objects and reflections of a quite different character from those 

 which are associated with their bent condition. To secure such a 

 diversion of the imagination, the best possible stimulus is found to 

 be the presentation of a class of objects to the perceptive organs, 

 which shall be as agreeable as possible to the taste, and at the same 

 time entirely different from the objects connected with those occupa- 

 tions by which the faculties have been tasked. And this is what is 

 found by townspeople in a park. 



If now we ask further, what the qualities of a park are which fit 

 it to meet this requirement? Ave find two circumstances, common to 

 all parks in distinction from other places in towns, namely, scenery 

 offering the most agreeable contrast to that of the rest of the town ; 

 and opportunity for people to come together for the single purpose 

 of enjoyment, unembarrassed by the limitations with which they 

 are surrounded at home, or in the pursuit of their daily avocations, 

 or of such amusements as are elsewhere offered. 



It may be observed, that these two purposes are not quite com- 

 patible one with the other ; for that scenery which would afford the 

 most marked contrast with the streets of a town, would be of a kind 

 characterized in nature by the absence, or, at least, the marked sub- 

 ordination of human influences. Yet, iu a park, the largest pro- 

 vision is required for the human presence. Men must come to- 

 gether, and must be seen coming together, in carriages, on horse- 

 back and on foot, and the concourse of animated life which will 

 thus be formed, must in itself be made, if possible, an attractive, 

 and diverting spectacle. 



How can these opposing requirements be harmonized ? 



Perfectly harmonized they cannot be, and, because they cannot 

 be, success in realizing either must be limited. Yet, by a careful 

 adjustment of parts, and by accommodating the means necessary to 

 the effecting of one purpose to those necessary to the effecting of 

 the other, both may be accomplished in a degree which experience 

 shows is satisfactory. 



In the endeavor to accommodate the requirements. of the one 

 purpose to those of the other, a perfect compromise at all points is 

 not essential. On the contrary, it is desirable that each should 

 be carried out at certain points in high degree and if the natural 

 topography of the site chosen is varied, it will not be difficult to 

 select points suitable for doing this. 



