The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-18


ture; and the subject not being well understood,
send you this, bees your HERALD reaches all
who ought TO have information on this important
topic: .,.o. ,n...., =. ..,u.
Some or the Parks OF Europe.
TO THE EDITOk OF TIE HERALD.
1t has occurred to me that brief account of some
Of the best European parks would be acceptable to
your readers at the present time inasmuch as the
Commissioner report on the Central Park is now
confirmed.
In my studies of European landscape gardening
last summer and autumn, / first sought out such
specimens as seemed to be best adapted to our cir
cnmstances; and secondly, such as were considered
the best specimens Of landscape gardening as an
art.
Under the former class, place at the head Birk-
enhead Park, on the opposite side of the river Mer
sey from Liverpool, as being decidedly the finest
public park In Europe.
This announcement will probably appear very
strange to Americans generally, who usually, ON
landing from the steamers at Liverpool, take the
first train for London, and do not stop long enough
even to inquire about the fno buildings, docks,
parks &c. make this remark because, during five
months soj0urn in England and on the Continent l
did not find one American who had seen Birkenhead
Park.
Birkenhcad Park was conceived by the Commits
sioners Of the Borough, and decided upon after
cussed. The commissioners wisely concluded that
a good park in the suburbs of their town. with
zone or belt Of fine villa sites around it, would draw
TO them men Of wealth and taste. This expectation
has been fully realized, as will appear hereafter.
In le43 the commissioners purchased 100 acres Of
land for q park and other purposes-l2O acres of
which are appropriated in perpetuity for public
park.
MIR. Joseph, now Sir Joseph Paxton, the cele-
brated landscape gardener to the Duke of Devon
shire, was employed to design and direct the works.
designs into execution, under the immediate direc-
ton Of Mr.. Edward Kemp, very clever Landscape
gardener, and author Of How to Lay Out Small
Garden" and the "Hand Book of Gardening"
to severe northwest winds from the sea, the soil
cold stiff clay and entirely destitute of trees,
the materials placed in Mr.. Paxtons hands to make
park. No doubt he thought it hard nut to crack,
it in very satisfactory manner, by creating arti
fetal bills, ridges, mounds, &c, with the earth
waited in forming the lakes all Of which appear very
| easy, graceful and natural.
| In q little more than year the entire plot of
land once in some parts low swamp, exhaling the
most pestient yapors, was drained, graded, planted
and fenced at an expense, including the lands. OF
about ESQ, 000-Mr. Paxton receiving f8O0 for his
| services.
! The villa sites around the park have since been
sold for nearly enough to pay the entire cost OF the
| lands and improvements and many fine villas are
already built. The remaining lots are owned by in
| divduals, and held at high rates.
! In the arrangement OF the park serpentine drive
Of nearly three miles in length encloses the park
proper, and forms the inner boundary of the villa
sites; another drive passes through the CENTRE and
| eight more deveope the land appropriated to villa
scs-oDe end Of each of the latter terminates oppo-
site the end of public street. with lodge and gate.
Broad gravel paths develope the interior in q beau
tful and artistic manner the larger part of which is
in lawns hurdled and pastured with fine sheep and
cows. The great breadth of these lawns produces 8
| wonderful effect OF magnitude.
| The plantations include all the trees and shrubs
/ that are hardy enough to endure the clmate-which
] make up a great notwithstanding, many
that flourish vigorously In the central and southern
portions Of England are excluded account OF the
severe winds and saline atmosphere. There Is also
stiff clayey subsoil, which causes the exclusion Of
n my varieties Of evergreens..
A couple Of fine sheets of water-graced with
! water owl bridges, boathouse, &c-enliven the
| grounds. One Of the lakes is very Irregular and
decidedly the best managed piece Of artificial water
lever cav, and, so far as | learned, was so consi-
deled 10y all landscape gardeners who have seen it.
fockery SO naturally designed and constructed
that was informed it was often t..ken for real
piece of natures handiwork. This is draped with .
few smart touches Of Alpine scenery, that reminds
one Of the picturesque scenery in Switzerland, along
the Rhine, and In our own Alleghanies. Cricket,
archery and quoting grounds are provided, and are
In rse every pleasant afternoon.
When the important advantages to the public, and
the poorer classes in England especially, of such
extensive and delightful pleasure ground Is taken
into consideration, no one will be inclined to say
that the expenditure IN Creatn8 IL does not merit
| the most unbounded success and the deepest public
gratitude. Here nature may be viewed in her love-
Hest garb the most obdurate heart may be softened,
and the mind gently led to pursuits which refine,
purify and alleviate the humblest Of the toiLworn.
1t has been Justly observed that In the same pro
| portions as eources Of innocent amusement and
healthy recreations are provided for people, in the
same proportion do they become virtuous and hap
py. The commissioners Of Birkenhead have there.
fore set noble example to the directors Of public
Affairs In large towns; they already have the graft
Rcation Of knowing that many, many thousands
have already been made happier by their exertions
and generations yet unborn will have occasion to be
grateful for this public boon.
In this park has been realized nothing more than
can be done in any town of similar size and enter
prise In America All that Is necessary Is to have
the will to do It, and active and determined board
of trustees and the hand Of taste to direct.
The suburbs around Birkenhead Park, contain
the residences Of the best citizens of Brkenhead
| and many from Liverpool. HOWApD DANIELS,