PUBLIC PARKS AND WALKS. PUBLIC PARKS AND WALKS. AMONG the questions which fittingly occupy the attention of the public, one of the most difficult to decide is, how far the government of a free country ought to appropriate the public revenues in the improvement of streets and open thoroughfares. The magnificent parades at St. Petersburg, the street called "Unter den Linden" (from the centre being adorned with lime-trees), at Berlin, and analogous thoroughfares which meet the eye of travellers on the Continent, however admirable these may appear, were, it must be remembered, carried into effect by monarchs whose will is law, and whose subjects could not, if they would, exercise control over the arrangements. To show how it is that the will of the sovereign is not so potent in England, or to draw comparisons between the resulting effects, is no part of our object; but we think it necessary to mention this difference, as serving in some degree to explain why a government, constituted on popular principles, is cautious in the application of the public wealth to local objects. There is, however, a growing feeling in favour of legislative interference for the preservation of open spots and healthy thoroughfares in our large towns. If a city were the production of one mind, or the growth of one age, some definite mode of arranging the widths and intersections of streets, &c., might be adopted. But the process of formation is piecemeal; each proprietor of a plot of ground laying it out as he may deem most conducive to his own interests, and with little regard to the general welfare of the inhabitants. It has thus arisen that some portions of all our great towns consist of houses so wedged together, as scarcely to admit the light of day or the access of fresh air to the lanes and alleys. The evil is increased by this circumstance, that the poorer the neighbourhood, the more defective are the means of drainage, that provision without which it is scarcely possible for a populous place to remain in a healthy state. Dr. Southwood Smith has made a striking remark on this subject, to the effect that if we trace on a map those districts of the metropolis where fever most prevails, we shall find them almost precisely correspond with those in which sewers are most deficient. 413 ing that modicum of fresh air which gives life and spirit to the jaded frame. Besides this, there is something in trees and flowers and fields which tends to elevate the mind, and to divest it of those gross associations which too often prevail in busy cities. This kind of civilizing process is one among those alluded to in a recent number of the Quarterly Review, in which the writer advocates such plans as may "minister to the amusements, the morals, and the health of the people, by creating and extending their opportunities of innocent and intellectual recreation-the most effective rivals of the ale-house and the gin-shop." "Who can see" (he adds)" the crowds that gather round the barrelorgan in the streets or the window of the printseller; or that visit the National Gallery and the Museum; or who throng the aisles of Westminster Abbey on Monday afternoon; or who flow through the newly-opened apartments at Hampton Court; or who, in these fine evenings, inhale health and pleasure in the beautiful inclosure of the parks, without being convinced there is even in what are called the lower classes of society, a natural taste for the arts, and an innate susceptibility of mental enjoyment, which it is the duty as well as the policy of a wise and benevolent government to cultivate and improve?" Many of our noblemen and great landed proprietors have liberally thrown open their parks and pleasure-grounds to the public, under certain stipulations. The magnificent gardens of Stowe, for instance, covering an area of four hundred acres, are, we believe, opened in this manner. But without at all depreciating this liberality, we may observe, that such a boon is shut out from those who, of all others, would most benefit by it, viz. the working classes of large towns. Most country mansions, to which parks are attached, are, for obvious reasons, situated at a distance from smoky, bustling, and noisy towns; and are, as a general rule, only available for those who are always in the vicinity of green fields. We have therefore to look in other quarters for such improvements as will meet the evil. A very liberal donation was made to the inhabitants of Ampthill, in Bedfordshire, a few years since, by the late lamented Lord Holland, which is a specimen of what we should gladly see all over England. This nobleman presented the Alameda The improvement of the regulations under which (so called from the Spanish name for a walk plantsewers are constructed, we shall not here enter ed with trees) to the inhabitants of the neighbourupon; because, defective as London may be in this ing town of Ampthill, for their use as a public respect, we believe it to be superior to most con- promenade. A handsome entrance opens into a tinental cities. We shall confine our attention walk nearly half a mile in length, and planted with above ground in this paper, and speak of the arrange-lime-trees, to which all the inhabitants, rich and ments now in progress for providing public walks, poor, have access. gardens, and promenades, in the metropolis. It is not enough that the working man should have victuals to eat and a roof to cover him; he should also have the means for taking exercise, and enjoy By far the noblest donation of a similar kind which has ever come to our knowledge is that of Mr. Strutt to the inhabitants of Derby, viz. a pleasure ground and arboretum. It is situated in the outskirts of the town of Derby, and comprises eleven acres of ground, which have been laid out with such tact and discrimination by Mr. Loudon, that the gravel-walks exceed a mile in length. The walks are partly straight and partly curved, according to the place where they are situated, and they are provided with commodious seats for three hundred and fifty persons. The trees and shrubs planted by Mr. Loudon have been selected with great care; every plant having a brick tally, with a card let in, on which is printed the botanic and English names of the plant, and covered with glass. The arboretum is vested in the mayor and other trustees, and is to be managed by a committee chosen annually, consisting of six persons besides the mayor of the borough. It is to be open to all classes, without payment, on every Sunday, and also on at least one other day in every week. The expenses of keeping it in constant order are to be defrayed by subscription, and by a charge for admitting the wealthier classes on the other days of the week. It was beautifully observed by Mr. Strutt, on the occasion of the presentation of the arboretum, in September, 1840, that "if we wish to obtain the affection and regard of others, we must manifest kindness and regard towards them; if we seek to wean them from debasing pursuits and brutalizing pleasures, we can only hope to do so by opening to them new sources of rational enjoyment." "It is under this conviction," he added, "that I dedicate these gardens to the public; and I will only add, that as the sun has shone brightly on me through life, it would be ungrateful in me not to employ a portion of the fortune which I possess, in promoting the welfare of those amongst whom I live, and by whose industry I have been aided in its acquisition." We believe that we might, if space permitted, detail many other instances of spirited and liberal individuals, who are now engaged in devoting a portion of their wealth to the preparation of public walks, in other parts of England; but we must turn our attention to the metropolis. Although nothing has yet been practically decided on, yet we may look upon the embankment of the Thames as an improvement to be classed among those in contemplation. The nature and extent of this improvement cannot be correctly estimated without a glance at the manner in which the banks of the river are occupied. From Blackwall to Vauxhall there is scarcely a spot where a footpassenger can walk on the banks of the river, so entirely is the space occupied by wharfs, docks, and warehouses. The immense traffic, the establishment of piers for steam-boats, the emptying of the common sewers into the river, and other circumstances, also, have at length brought the river into such a state that all parties feel the necessity of instituting some change. The favourite plan seems to be, to form a terrace or embankment all along the river, which shall form a promenade for the inhabitants, and beneath which shall be situated the wharfs and warehouses now lining the banks. Those who do not advocate such an expensive project as this, think that a parade might be formed at no great height above the water, and that the warehouses might be behind this parade instead of beneath it. Sir Frederick Trench has taken a very active part in this matter. So long ago as 1825, he published a prospectus for a quay on the north bank of the river, connecting Pall-Mall and CharingCross with Blackfriars-bridge. The objects were stated to be, 1st. The improvement of the navigation of the river, combined with important commercial accommodation; 2d. Free and rapid communication between the two extremities of the metropolis, and with all the intermediate points upon the whole line; 3d. An adequate profit upon the capital employed; 4th, The embellishment of the banks of the river, and the forming an airy, healthful, and beautiful promenade, for all classes of the community. From that time to the present an increasing series of projects have been brought forward, having similar objects in view. Sometimes it has been proposed to take up the matter as a commercial speculation, sometimes as a national object, and at other times as a municipal one. There seem to be two objects in view, one the improvement of the navigation, and the other a healthy promenade. With respect to the former, Mr. Walker, the engineer, in his evidence before a Committee of the House of Commons, in 1840, stated, that the navigation of the Thames is becoming very difficult and unfavourable, from the great inequalities in the width, the increasing depth at some places, and the increase of shoals or mud banks in others. He stated his opinion as to the best way of removing the evil, to be to "form the river into a regularly-increasing width, as far as can be done consistently, and to remove the shoals so as to increase the depth; having got then a uniform width and depth corresponding with it, I think shoals will not form in future." He proposed that the material which would be removed from the bottom of the river, in making these improvements, should be used for the purpose of filling in behind the embankment walls, by which the river would be bounded; and expressed his opinion that the docks or recesses which must necessarily be formed for the purposes of trade, "would enable the river to be deepened and improved, without affecting the beds where the barges lie in the proposed docks." It will be seen that the above extract refers exclusively to the improvement of navigation ; but Mr. Walker stated that this plan would not interfere with a farther project by Sir F. Trench, viz. the building of a terrace upon arches along the banks of the river. Mr. Martin has proposed a PUBLIC PARKS AND WALKS. 415 very gigantic project, which is, to build three tiers | windings of the ornamental water-so superior to of water-side structures, of which the lowest should the straight formal canal of former times—and the act as a great drain to all the neighbouring streets, varied direction of the paths, now approaching the the middle one as quays and the wharfs, and the water, now receding to a distance,-all give to the upper one as a terrace. But it is to be feared, that scene much the appearance of a garden. It is if plans are laid on too extensive a scale, it may pleasant, and indeed important, to observe, that prevent anything practical from being done. We the privilege of using such a place as a place of will leave the subject by stating, that during the exercise does not appear to be unworthily abused. present summer Captain Bullock, Mr. Walker, and The time was when the English people were other experienced persons, have been surveying charged, perhaps justly, with a tendency wantonly the banks of the Thames with great care, with a to injure those productions of taste or of art which view to the adoption of some principle of embank- they were permitted to visit. The best way to ment which shall aid the navigation; and that Sir cure them of the fault is to habituate them to F. Trench has given notice of a bill for next ses- works of taste and art, as a forerunner to more sion, to construct a terrace upon arches along the refined and generous emotions. Mr. Strutt obbanks, with conveniences beneath for wharfs and served, on the occasion to which we lately alluded, quays. that if such a tendency exists, "it can be removed only by greater liberality in admitting the people to such establishments; by thus teaching them that they are themselves the parties most deeply interested in their preservation, and that it must be the interest of the public to protect that which is intended for the public advantage." Let us now say a word or two about the parks. Hyde Park remains much in the same state as it has been in for many years. It is a most unpicturesque place, but open and airy; and it possesses one advantage which, if kept under judicious regulation, we deem of importance, viz. facilities for bathing. Whether this important auxiliary to health may be obtained without breach of decorum, and whether the depth of the Serpentine is such as to render bathing dangerous or not to learners, are questions which we cannot enter upon here; but we think that facilities for bathing afforded to the humble classes, under proper regulations, and at convenient times and places, would be an excellent sanatory arrangement. Kensington Gardens form, in many respects, a superior place of promenade to Hyde Park; and to those who live so far westward, it is a pleasant privilege to be allowed to roam among the fine old trees with which the gardens are beautified. We will only say-Would that these gardens were farther eastward! Would that they formed a break among the masses of smoky houses in the heart of the town! The Green Park, a sort of a link by which Hyde Park is connected with St. James's, is now undergoing many improvements, by which it will become much more of a pleasure-ground than Hyde Park. Apprehension was expressed some months ago, that these improvements would result in the exelusion of the public from many parts of the inclosure; but we believe that no such measure is contemplated by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. There is, and we hail it with pleasure, a decided tendency to introduce taste as well as convenience in these arrangements,-to introduce the principles of landscape gardening, without sacrificing the more solid advantages which a place for recreative exercise affords. The remark just made is especially applicable to the planting and arrangement of St. James's Park. The beauty and taste with which the ground within the inclosure is laid out, the gracefully curved On the north-west extremity of London the Regent's Park is being opened to the public far more extensively than hitherto. Long after the completion of the houses which bound the east, west, and south sides of the Park, the public were entirely excluded from the Park itself; scarcely an inch of grass-" nature's carpet"-being open. This was partially remedied by the opening of a fine broad gravel walk, from the southern road to that leading to the inner circle. This path was subsequently continued northward to the boundary of the Park, ending at the eastern limit of the grounds of the Zoological Society. A considerable area of greensward was, at the same time, thrown open; and the thousands who avail themselves of these facilities for enjoyment testify how well they are appreciated. Recently a large additional portion of the Park,-more, we are inclined to think, than all that was open before, has been devoted to the use of the public. This comprises the greater part of the area eastward of the Marquis of Hertford's villa; west of the long public walk, north of the inner circle and ornamental water, and south of the Zoological Gardens. The entrances and paths are yet very unfinished. A little within the western entrance, opposite the houses in Hanover Terrace, the visitor comes upon a scene of an uncommonly pretty and pleasing character. The path from the entrance leads to a part of the ornamental water which contains a small island; and there are here two tiny suspension bridges, one leading from the entrance path to the island, and the other from the island to the interior of the Park. The occurrence of these bridges, and the view along the ornamental water in a north-east direction, make this, to our mind, one of the most picturesque spots in the Park. There is an arm of this ornamental water which branches out in a north-east direction, and across this arm a suspension-bridge of larger size is in process of construction. This, when completed, will be connected with a path about to be opened from the inner circle; and a new entrance to the wide area beyond will thus be obtained. Altogether, the arrangements are highly creditable to those who have planned them. A park in the east of London sounds so strangely, that we can hardly comprehend its meaning at first. But let any one take a walk to that district, and he will then see as extraordinary a mass of houses, perhaps, as was ever congregated in one spot. The endless rows of narrow streets about the neighbourhood of Spitalfields are almost fearful to contemplate, when we consider how prone disease is to lurk in those regions; and we then see how desirable a park, or any other open place for exercise and fresh air, becomes. We thus come to appreciate the value of the Victoria Park, now in process of formation near Bethnal Green. The Crown, being in possession of York House, and having no further use for it, sold the property, and with the proceeds, sanctioned by Act of Parliament, has purchased nearly three hundred acres of ground in the eastern part of London, for the sake of converting it into a public park. The area is rather larger than St. James's Park, and is to be laid out in walks, drives, and plantations. Its western boundary is the Regent's Canal, and the southern is a short canal leading from the latter to the river Lea, while its north-east angle is formed by Hackney Wick. It has been objected by some persons, that this area is already, and has always been, nearly all field; and that the project does not therefore decrease the dense mass of houses westward of this plot of ground. This objection is certainly true to some extent; but it must be remembered, that to pull down houses enough to make a vacant area sufficient for a park in the heart of a populous district, would involve an expenditure so enormous, as to defeat every attempt at such a plan. We must, therefore, take the good which is offered, and not cavil at the donors for not granting more. Although it is not customary to regard a central and busy street as a public walk and promenade, yet the existence of wide streets in a denselypopulated city is too desirable to pass unnoticed in reference to our present subject. Some of the improvements made in the metropolis within the last few years are very important in this respect. The large area in which the new Post Office stands, the noble street leading from the Mansion-House to London Bridge, the new street from the Bank to Finsbury, the entire length of Regent Street, the very extensive area in and near Trafalgar Square, and, we may perhaps add, the lines of the Blackwall and Eastern Counties' Railways,-have all been produced by pulling down vast numbers of houses, mostly small and old, and so closely congregated as to prevent the access of sufficient fresh air. Many new lines of street are now either in process of formation, or the arrangements for them are in progress; the object being the opening of a more speedy and convenient route from one part of town to another, and the clearing away of a portion of houses where too thickly placed. We may briefly enumerate these lines : A street from Holborn Bridge northward to West Street, in a line with Farringdon Street. A street in continuation of the latter, to Clerkenwell Sessions-house. A street from Bow Street, Covent Garden, northward, to Broad Street, Bloomsbury. A street from Oxford Street, eastward, through that den of wretchedness known as the "Rookery," to High Holborn. A street from Coventry Street to Long Acre, through Leicester Square. A street from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Another from the Abbey to Eaton Street, Pimlico. A street through Southwark, from Blackfriars Road eastward to near the foot of London Bridge. A street from the London Docks, in a northern direction, to Spitalfields. Whether all these projects will be carried into effect remains to be seen; but an Act of Parliament, recently passed, empowers the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to furnish aid in furtherance of nearly all of them. In some of these cases, the project is to make an entirely new street, while in others it is proposed merely to widen streets previously existing. As to the funds from which these improvements are to be paid for, we may state that they are derived principally from two sources; viz. a duty payable to the Corporation of London, on all coals, wine, and, we believe, one or two other articles, brought into London; and the rental of houses to be built in the new streets. Of the details and relative importance of the several lines of street, we have no space here to treat; but we may mention that the whole subject is treated with great clearness in the last number of the Westminster Review, in which lithographed plates of all the contemplated improvements are given. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS BY JOHN SNOW, 35, PATERNOSTER ROW, To whom all future Orders and letters from correspondents should be addressed; ALSO BY J. MENZIES, Edinburgh; GRIFFIN and Co., Glasgow; CURRY and Co., Dublin; SIMMS and DINHAM, Manchester; SLOCOMBE and SIMMS, Leeds; W. WEBB, Liverpool. BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS. |