PARK AND CEMETERY 
402 
had the advantage of over half a century’s additional 
training. Moreover the work of the beautifying their 
large and thrifty cities by promenades and parks, in 
many cases dates back far enough to show definite re- 
sults in certain effects. 
The park of Babelsberg is situated on the naturally 
elevated banks of the river Havel, opposite the aristo- 
cratic city of Potsdam. Of many views upon the lake- 
like expansions of this river, the one in our illustration 
seemed to me the most interesting. There are views 
which take in a grand panorama of the city, but the fore- 
ground has not the strongly pronounced characteristic 
features. Unlike the broad open effects of most lake 
and river panoramas this view, by its skillful limitation, 
gives a silent invitation for the eye to rest. The river, 
bedded between wooded shores, attracts the eye, and 
is emphasized by the relief of a sylvan park vegetation. 
The massive bridge in the distance faintly reminds us of 
the close proximtiy of modern city life, but otherwise 
detracts little from the peaceful and simple character 
of the whole. 
There are, no doubt, similar river views in some 
of our American parks. Taste in this country may 
differ as to the appropriateness of the gaiety and color 
of a profuse planting of flowering shrubs in the imme- 
diate foregrounds, or some may consider the absence 
of a drapery of vines overhead as a weakness. These 
are, however, minor details when we study the general 
composition of the picture by which the distant river 
actually beyond the park IxDundaries, has been drawn 
into the scene. In similar long distance views archi- 
tectural structures, monuments, or other desirable ob- 
jects might be drawn into a park landscape. 
Our other illustrations of shore plantations of lake 
and pond, show some different effects produced by lead- 
ing German landscape gardeners. A natural freedom 
in composition and the employment of the best types 
of trees near the waterline are characteristic features. 
In parks in densely populated sections of large cities, 
practical considerations for giving the best service to 
the people are naturally considered first, while for the 
royal garden and the pretentious private grounds beauty 
is paramount. In Germany most of the royal parks and 
princely estates are open to the public. Free access to 
those gardens unquestionably has done much to refine 
the taste of the masses, and help them to recognize the 
necessity of beauty for their city park systems. 
In a more than well policed country, like the Father- 
land, where even in the municipal parks the rule “Keep 
off the Grass” is strictly enforced, the drives and walks 
are the only means of approach, and the only view-points 
in the landscape. They are the mute guides, by which the 
A STRIKING VIEW ON THE RIVER HAVEL FROM BABELSBURG, NEAR POTSDAM. 
