22 LONDON PARKS & GARDENS 
United States of America, where each town provides, in 
addition to its regular lines of streets, and its main 
thoroughfares leading straight from the centre to the 
more suburban parts, a complete system of parks. The 
more old-fashioned town of Boston was behind the rest, 
although it contained a few charming public gardens in 
the heart of the town. Of late years large tracts of 
low-lying waste grounds have been filled up, and one 
piece connected with another, until it, too, rejoices in 
a complete u park system.’’ Chicago, Pittsburgh, and all 
these modern towns of rapid growth possess a well- 
ordered “ park system.” The conditions, the natural 
aspect of the country, and the climate are so unlike our 
own that no comparison is fair. Like everything else in 
the United States, they are on a large scale, and while there 
is much to admire, and something to learn, there is very 
little in the points in which they differ from us that 
could be imitated. London parks and open spaces, taken 
as a whole, are unrivalled. The history and associations 
which cluster round each and all of them, would fill 
volumes if recorded facts were adhered to; and if the 
imagination were allowed to run riot within the range of 
possibility, there would be no limit. Things which have 
grown gradually as circumstances changed can have no 
system. Their variety and irregularity is their charm, 
and no description of either the parks, gardens, or open 
spaces of London can be given as a whole. Each has 
its own associations, its own history, and to glance at 
some of London’s bright spots and tell their stories will 
be the endeavour of these pages. 
