The Sun.
London, England, 1837-07-26 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S PARK.

Amongst the contemplated improvements that have been
heralded, we find no mention made of one that would be
more acceptable to the public generally than all the others
together. We allude to an improved path from Bucking-
ham Palace to Spring Gardens. A paved path for pedes-
trians should be made. If this were done, the public
would see in the act a desire to promote the comfort and
convenience of the humbler and more numerous class of
the community. Men would not then complain that
whilst 70,0001. were expended for a palace-gate, a few
pounds were grudged for the convenience of the public at
large. In the absence of this improvement, why, we ask,
are many of the Park gates constantly closed, that if open,
would contribute greatly to the public good ? We may in-
stynce particularly that gate opposite the York Pillar.
In speaking of St. James's Park, we notice, for the
purpose of reprehending in terms of the strongest censure
the order which we understand emanated from the Com-
missioners of Woods and Forests relative to the exclusion
of the working casses. The keepers will not permit any
person to walk through the enclosure who is not well
dressed. The gates are shut to all but the affluent. No
person who does not wear fine cloth can pass through the
public pathway. We ourselves once saw a farmer who
had ventured into the precincts of that part of the park
sacred to the wearers of superfine, ordered out and compelled
so retrace his steps, because he wore the interdicted dress.
He had the air and appearance of an honest English
farmer ; and, to our minds, as far as cleanliness, propriety,
and neatness are concerned, lie was an infinitely better
dressed, and certainly a far more respectable man, than the
nauseous dandies who prowl about the Park, with a cigar
in the mouth and a glass in the eye, smoking and staring,
to the great disgust of every lady who ventures to walk
there without an attendant. There would be some reason
for the exclusion of these well-dressed blackguards. But
although these coxcombs, who daily glitter in almost femi-
nine finery, are as offensive and contemptible in the eyes of
other persons as they are important in their own estimation,
yet they are privileged to walk in every part of the Park,
whilst no person who belongs to the working class—that
class which is paramount in utility, importance, and real re-
spectability, is permitted to put his foot within the privi-
leged precincts of the Park.

Thursday, the 10th August, is the time definitiely
arranged for the Queen and household to take possession of
Windsor Castle.
On Monday morning, between five and six o'clock,
as a gentleman named Roberts, was proceeding along the
fields near to Primrose-hill, he discovered a man stretched in
the pathway in a lifeless state, and surrounded with a com-
plete pool of blood. He instantly procured assistance and had
the unfortunate man conveyed to the nearest house. A surgeon
was shortly in attenda►ice, and on examining the body it was
discovered that the effusion of blood had proceedela from a
wound in the arm, apparently inflicted with a knife, or dirk.
Under the judicious treatment of the medical gentleman, the
man, who had only fainted through loss of blood, shortly reco-
vered, and stated that he was an itinerant vender of tea, which
he carried about the country in packets, and that, on the night
previous, he was passing along the fields near Primrose-bill,
when he was stopped by two men, dressed in blue waggoners'
frocks, who desired him to deliver up his money, and the pack
containing the tea. Having a stout staff in his hand, he an-
swered the demand by aiming a blow at the nearest ruffian,
which, however, the fellow managed to avoid, and the twoim-
mediately attacking him, he received a stab with a large clasp
knife in the arm, and was at last knocked down, where be re-
mained insensible till discovered by Mr. Roberts. The villains
took the pack, containing 9111 s of tea, and 1/. 14s. 3d. from
his pocket. He does not think he should be able to identify
the robbers, whose faces were concealed by large neckerchiefs
and slouching wide-brimmed hats.