218 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



the way. Supposing, what was probably but seldom 

 the case, that the utility and desirableness of public 

 parks were clearly appreciated, it required no small 

 amount of public spirit, and no inconsiderable meas- 

 ure of wealth and influence, to encounter and sur- 

 mount the palpable difficulties that stood in the way. 

 The high marketable value of lands in the vicinity of 

 large towns, eagerly taken up for the purposes of gar- 

 dening or building, might render their purchase almost 

 or altogether an impossibility to the local corporations. 

 Then, too, the land might be dearest at the very point 

 where it was most desirable that the park should be 

 placed. Besides, the extreme division of property 

 often prevailing in such localities sometimes renders 

 combined action for public objects next to hopeless. 

 The greater is the honor due to the communities, such 

 as that of Manchester, that have had enterprise enough 

 to undertake, and skill and vigor enough to carry 

 through, the works which, in this career of improve- 

 ment, they have actually accomplished. 



The Site of the Public Park, viewed as calcu- 

 lated to promote the health of the community, should 

 be as near the city or town as possible; and, indeed, 

 its beneficial influence would be augmented were it 

 partially to intersect the area occupied by the streets 

 and other buildings. In such a position the park 

 would be of easy access to the inhabitants, and would 

 form a wide breathing-space,or lungs, as already said, 

 preventing that dense and unhealthy crowding of 

 streets and lanes which are rapidly forming in com- 

 pact masses, with manifest injury tc the sanitary con- 

 dition of some of the principal manufacturing towns 

 in the United Kingdom. Such is the importance 



