160 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS, 



grounds^ and tlie erection of tlie works^ must proceed 

 on the principles already indicated in tliis work, in re- 

 ference 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 private, use. In an ordinary 

 country residence, the mansion-house and its appurte- 

 nances form the centre of attraction, and the point to 

 which all others are referred ; but such a point of cen- 

 tralizing interest is wanting in the public park. And as 

 the style of decoration in towns is generally more profuse 

 and elaborate than in rural districts, it may be conceded 

 that the city park should be more ornate, and may con- 

 tain a greater multiplicity of showy objects, than would 

 be altogether suitable in the country. It may be pre- 

 simied, too, that the average taste of those who frequent 

 suburban parks (we refer more particularly to the working 

 classes) is not highly cultivated and severe, and conse- 

 quently the expression of these localities need not be so 

 quiet, nor the style so strictly in harmony with the cha- 

 racter of the ground, as may be deemed necessary in the 

 secluded retreats of men of much cultivation and refine- 

 ment. 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 aU 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 partake 

 mostly of the character of pleasure-grounds ; that is, it 

 should chiefly be occupied with lawns, walks, shrubberies, 

 and moderate gTOups of trees. When upwards of sixty 



