THE 



PAEKS, PKOMENADES, 



AND 



GAEDENS OF PAEIS. 



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. Aueora Leigh. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE CHAMPS ELYSEES AND THE GARDENS OF THE LOUVRE 

 A 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 beanty is due to her gardens and her 



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



attractive — the view np that splendid avenue and garden 



stretching from the heart of the city to the Arc de Triomphcj 



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 



