THE 



PARKS, PROMENADES, 

 &AEDE?fS OF PARIS. 



The city swims in verdure, beautiful 



As Venice on the waters, the sea-swan. 



^Tiat 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. Aurora 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 -u ay 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 



B 



