Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-21
PUBLIC AVENUES, PARKS, AND GROUNDS.

The remissness and indifference which have
heretofore prevailed in all our cities in reference
to those beautiful and healthful improvements o.
parks and public grounds which form SO marked
characteristic of European cities, would (says the
Baltimore American) almost seem to indicate tina
republican communities are not disposed to provide
for the health and recreation Of the people as libe
rally and as thoughtfully as we find is done in
monarchical communities. A description of the
parks of London, which we have just met with in
letter from Mr.. A. J. DowNING, Esq. to the Hor-
ticutura Journal for the present month"; is so gra.
phic and picturesque that we conclude our remarks
this morning by quoting largely from it. He is
speaking Of the WestEnd of the city, which in
cludes Hyde Park, Regents Park, st. James's and
Green Parks:
These names arc almost as familiar You the Battery
and Washington square, and fear you labor under the de-
fusion that the former only enlarged edition Of the lat
ter. Believe you have fallen into great
you took the brick meeting house for suggestion Of st.
Peters The London parks actually like districts of open
countrymeadows and fields country estates lakes and
streams gardens and strawberries with much variety
you were in the heart Of Cambdgsh and much seclu-
sion in parts at certain hours, you farm
in the in eror Of Pennsylvania And the whole is laid out
and treated the main, with broad and noble feeling
neutral beauty quite the Of what you in the pub
lie parks II the continental cities This makes these parks
douby refreshing to citizens tired Of straight lines and formal
Streets while the contrast heghens the natural charm Un
accustomed to this breadth Of imitation Of naturchis
ing piece Of widespread country large enough shut out
for the time all trace Of the houses though actually in the
midst Of cy-an American il always half inclined be-
eve notwt standing the abundance Of evidence the
a) that the London parks bit Of the native country
surprised aud fairly taken prisoner by the ou,streched arms
of this giant Of modern cities.
ST James Park and Green Park are enormous pieces Of
real pleasuegound broad glsdes ofu noble
trees rich Of shrubbery and towering pans-lakes
filled with waterfowl and the proper surroundings in
fact, royal palaces and the finest private houses in
London but still all open TO the enjoyment Of hundreds Of
thousands daily You look out upon the forest OF verdure in
Green Park you sit in the windows Of present Minis
ers fac mansion in Pccady asonshed at the breadth and
beauty Of the green landscape which you like
glimpse into Of the loveiet plessuregrounds the
Hudson than the belongings Of the great metropolis.
But the pride Of London in Hyde Park and Kensington
Gardens which, together, contain nearly 500 acres that
the entire circumference. you enter Hyde Park between
seven and eight in the morning, when all the world Of fashion
asleep you will fancy, after you have left the great gate
ways and the ne colossal Of Achilles far enough be-
hind you to be quite Of sight, that you have made mis-
take, and strolled out into the country unawares.
Scarcely person is to be this time of day. unless
be lonely foot passenger who looks he had lost his
way or his wits at this early hour But you broad grass
meadows with scattered groups Of trees not at all unlike what
you remember the smooth banks Of the Connecticut and
reach of the metropolis confirmed BY hearing the nke Of
the sheep bells and seeing ocks Of these and other
creatures feeding quietly the short turf of the secluded po
lions of the park You walk until you quite weary
without finding the end Of the matteor Kensngton Gar
den, which only another and larger park is but the
tlnuaton OF Hyde Pakand you back in sort of be-
wdered establishment at the vastness and wealth Of city
which afford such mabe space for the pleasure Of
air and exercise Of It's inhabitants
That Hyde Park in dlshable Now 20 In again with
tho acJ
you shall see the place in full Dress and altered and
animated by The drdmats PERSONA that you will hardly de
y it as the locale Of the solitary country rble you took
the morning r.Ia s
1t is hapast four in the afternoon and the fashionable
world (who dine at all England) now taking
It's morning airing. If you will sit down on one of these
solid looking seas under the shadow Of this large elm YOU
will see such display Of equpage pass you in the
single hour other part Of the world parallel This
broad, well mecadamzed carriage drive which makes cir
cult of some four five miles in Hyde Park is at this
men fairly filed with private carriages Of all degrees Here
heavy coaches and four with Positions and foomen
massive carriages emb'azoned with family crests, and gay
with all the biancy of gold and crimson veries; yondel
superb barouche, with eight spirited horses and
riders is the royal equpage and you lean forward
catch glimpse of the sovereign the close coach Of the hero
Of Waterloo the with cockades in their hats dashes
past you the other rapid that you doubt If be
who rides within merely for an siriDg Yonder taste
full turnout, with vefies of peculiar delicate mulberry,
with only single tall figure in the coach, is the Duke Of
Devonshre's ...'. .. .:n
Here is the carriage Of Of the foreign ambassadors less
snowy and lighter than the English vehicles and that pretty
pbeton drawn by beautiful blood horses is you see,
driven BY Of extraordinary beauty, with extaodi-
nary skill She quite alone, and behind her sits footman
with bis folded hrs face grave and solemn
that have in them. As you express your surprise
the air Of conscious sgrace with which the lady drives
your London friend quietly remarks, "yes, but she is
lady," Increasingly the carriages roll by, and you
less astonished at the numberess superb equpsge the
beauty Of the horses than the owod air OF the ootman
gold and silver lace gaudy vees spoess linen and snowy
silk stockings Some Of the grand old coschmen in full pow
deyed wigs decked in all the glory Of laced cnas and sker
calves held the ribbons with such conscious air of imposing
grandeur tina. willingly accepted them the Iee-poonia
the most blooming blossoms OF this paree of equpase
seemed to that there may be something comfortable il
thus hanging s the tsppngs Of station backs coach
men and fooen, if one must be bothered with such things
that may lean back quietly in plain clothes in the wei
stuffed seat Of his private carriage.
But do not let US oiier away al our time in single seem
in Hyde Park few steps further Rotten Row, a,he
odd for elegant place. chosen Of fashion
able cquestGns The English know too we'll the pleasures
of riding to gaop horseback bard pavements
Rotten Row is soft circle Of couple Of miles in the park
rallied of for this purpose, where your horses feet have
elastic surface to travel Hundreds of fair equesans
with fathers brothers. friends for companions, her
enjoying lively and spirited exercise than the langu
inmates Of the carriage have just left behind Th
English IN the saddle like mail riders, and frs
sight they look swk~ardy and less graceful eyes bu
you that they also sit firmly and ride NOR
boldly than ladies side of the water.
To stand by and others ride seems 10 be always to-
nntai1ing to be long endured pssme, even where th
scene as full Of novelty and variety this Let us 60 on
therefore This beautiful stream Of water, which would b
called pretty ceek" at home, is the Serpentne river
which has been made meander gracefully through Hyd
uliv hvoh hen~ IN