220 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



proceed on the principles . already indicated in this 

 work, in reference to private parks and pleasure- 

 grounds. There are, however, some differences which 

 the designer must take into account. For example, 

 the former are intended for public, the latter for pri- 

 vate use. In an ordinary country residence, the man- 

 sion-house and its appurtenances form the center of 

 attraction, and the point to which all others are re- 

 ferred ; but such a point of centralizing interest is 

 wanting in the public park. And as the style of dec- 

 oration in towns is generally more profuse and elab- 

 orate than in rural districts, it may be conceded that 

 the city park should be more ornate, and may contain 

 a greater multiplicity of showy objects, than would be 

 altogether suitable in the country. It may be pre- 

 sumed, too, that the average taste of those who fre- 

 quent suburban parks (we refer more particularly to 

 the working classes) is not highly cultivated and 

 severe; and consequently, the expression of these 

 . localities need not be so quiet, nor the style so strictly 

 in harmony with the character of the ground, as may 

 be deemed necessary in the secluded retreats of men 

 of much cultivation and refinement. The public park 

 should be gay, though not glaring or obtrusively 

 showy. Accordingly, we would admit into it a variety 

 of terraces, statues, monuments, and water, in all its 

 forms of fountain, pond, and lake, wherever these can 

 be introduced without violent and manifest incongruity. 



Speaking generally, when the park is small — say 

 from twenty to forty acres — we would have it to par- 

 take mostly of the character of pleasure-grounds ; that 

 is, it should chiefly be occupied with lawns, walks, 

 shrubberies, and moderate groups of trees. When 



