. The parks and gardens of Paris, considered in relation to the wants of other cities and of the public and private gardens; being notes on a study of Paris gardens. Gardening; Gardens; Parks. Chap. VIH.] SQUARES, PLACES, ETC. 123 a wooden fowl-house to a bathing-machine. Yet this is what is done in the majority of the " best" London squares. The eye is thus fixed on the contemptible objects in the centre, an agree- able spread of turf is made impossible, and the beauty of the trees or shrubs cannot be felt. It is unwise to desire uniformity in any art, but one principle deserves bei
. The parks and gardens of Paris, considered in relation to the wants of other cities and of the public and private gardens; being notes on a study of Paris gardens. Gardening; Gardens; Parks. Chap. VIH.] SQUARES, PLACES, ETC. 123 a wooden fowl-house to a bathing-machine. Yet this is what is done in the majority of the " best" London squares. The eye is thus fixed on the contemptible objects in the centre, an agree- able spread of turf is made impossible, and the beauty of the trees or shrubs cannot be felt. It is unwise to desire uniformity in any art, but one principle deserves being engraved on the mind of every person who has the care of squares, which is that the best way to obtain an excellent effect is by keeping the centre open and grassy, untortured by walks, hedges, or beds. The gardening in our squares is of a peculiarly lugubrious description, and of a style quite apart. Hardy subjects are not made a study of, and the bedding plants with which the country is ablaze in many parts are rarely seen. Year after year the same tone of slimy melancholy is assiduously preserved. The trees crowd upon each other, and even those that tower above all, and assert their dignity in spite of neglect, are not seen to advantage. Any flowers planted usually soon perish in the dismal shade. The walks, generally designed so as to cut through and destroy the prettiest spots in the square, appear to receive most attention, but it is sometimes shared by the ugly, high, and elaborate seats piled round the bases of the beautiful trees so as to cut short the effect of their stems as seen across the lawn. All the necessary seats, as well as tool-houses and arbours, should be placed near or towards the sides, where they would be useful without being obtrusive. It is quite easy to so place such objectionable features that while convenient for shade and comfort, they shall not be objectionable from any point of view. The best feature of the London squares is their trees. In t
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