The Portland daily press., 1866-08-28
SUPPLEMENT,
Tuesday Morning, August 28, 1866.


~ Hte EUttoT " We ETeSS. ,s,.,tf g, III.
Your kindness in publishing recently some
account of my visit to the Kew Gardens and
brief interview with the Princess MARY, who
was married last month to German Prince,
induces me to offer you some remarks descrip-
tive of avisit which I made on the following
day to Regents Park. This is situated ON the
northwest side Of London, and embraces 45O
acres. 1t was laid out in 1S12-the year our
last war with England commenced, under d.
rection of the Prince of Wales, then the Prince
Regent, Tor reigning,) in consequence of the
imbecility Of his father, George III. Unlike
most OF the other Parks in London, of which
there are in all more than two thousand acres
parts OF this area have been appropriated to
villas and terraces, which add very much to the
interest and beauty ola walk, or drive through
the extensive grounds. The handsome villa of
the Marquis of Hartford on the northwest side
also OF the terrace and gardens of Baron Gold
smld, near the inner circle, and the mansion
and observatory of Mr. Bishop, adjacent to the
botanic Gardens, are very conspicuous estab-
hshments. There is a road for carriages
amongst the trees ON the border of the Park,
lake Of irregular shape, crossed by several
elegant bridges, in the southeastern portion of
the grounds, near which are the Botanic Gar
deens, the best probably in Europe. The Zoo
logical Gardens are in the northern portion cf
the Park. The first contains eighteen acres in
circular form, and upon it stands Conservato-
~ or Winter House that will accommodate
two thousand visitors at once dt
My first demonstration was for this Garden.
Passing amongst the lawns and under the
shade of beautifully trimmed trees. L, in time,
reached the circular iron palings of the Gar
den, fortified inside all the way by a symmet-
ricaily shaped hawthorn hedge. 1t was diff
cult to perceive the entrance; but following
the wide carriage road that encircles the Gar
den outside, Police officer kindly conducted
me to the entrance Lodge and introduced me
to the porter as an American stranger and Wis
tier. The Lodge was an exact model of the
temple of Minerva. On presenting my ticket,
kindly given me by the American Minister, the
porter placed in my hand printed diagram of
the whole premises and furnished also living
guide. We entered under a weeping-ash whose
pendent and osier like limbs bent down to the
very earth. The graveled walks were lined
with curious shrubbery and well-displayed
flowers, and as we approac he'd the elegant cot
tage of the Garden, we noticed two men on the
lawn in front, moving by hand miniature
moving machine that at once shaved
off the grass, took it up and
combed the ground as with a fine tooth comb.
The spots which the machine could not COM
mand, as in sharp angles, and on the extreme
lines of the lawn, were clipped with shears in
the hands of other workmen accompanying
them. These lawns are thus shaven every few
days, and kept close and tufted like velvet
carpet, and as clean, so to speak, as that on
lady's parlor. Indeed, lawns thus trimmed,
are common in all the public Gardens of Lon
don, and most of the Estates of gentlemen in
the country.
The laying out of these Gardens cost $l75,-
O0O.. The Conservatory is of glass, 176 feet long
by 70 feet wide. 1t is warmed by hot air circu-
lating in $500 feet of iron pipe Fruits and
flowers from every country and cline arrested
our attention and RECALLED the senses. 1t is
lovely place indeed. If Adam found a more
beautiful Garden in Eden, he must sadly have
w hAo OAPuASACA OuCICuOuI. NcctT ILLS
is fancy building with Refreshment Rooms,
attended by graceful females who are happy to
provide visters with fruits, cakes &C., but with
nothing ardent"
One, OF the span-houses near by is occupied
almost entirely by a cistern containing the
great Lilly, introduced from the Amazon river
in South America, called the Victoria Regia.
The tank in which this huge water lilly is Gull
tivated, is q by II feet, and kept always warm
by hot water pipes running through it, and con-
stantly in motion by the action Of small re-
yoNing wheel. We entered to behold the flo
raj glory of the world. The leaves or pads rest
ting upon the surface of the water, were, each,
over 16 feet in circumference, i. e., more than
five feet in diameter. Two lilies were in full
blossom. They were pure white, with yellow
center, and more than foot in diameter
largest and richest flower in nature.
We noticed several others, not yet opened,
piercing the water, buds about the size of full
grown cocoa nut, and resembling it in FORM
1t requires much cost and care to raise the Vic
toria Lilly-it is queenly thing. Both the air
and the water in the house built for it must be
of tropical heat, and at the same temperature
summer and winter, day and night There are
but one or two other places in England where
the Victoria Lilly is cultivated. sas ss
Near these buildings in the Garden is the
Observatory of Mr.. Bishop, who has villa n
the Park. 1t is conducted by Mr. HIND Its
principal instrument is an equatorial telescope
of great power. By means of it the heavens
have been searched, and at least three new COM
cts discovered. Also three small planets have
been discovered, viz, Iris, Flora and Victoria.
Mr.. FL. is probably the best star-gazer in Eng
land, and as he has the most powerful appara-
tus, there is a prospect that he will be able to
confer great benefits on astronomical science.
On the south side of this Park is small
lake, studded with islands shaded by trees.
Noble weeping willows grow upon it's south
ern margin. 1t lies also in the midst of some
villas, or groups of buildings Of all sizes and
styles, belonging to some wealthy gentleman,
and is on the WHOLE one of the most interest
ing spots on the Park.
But the best view of the whole is from Sus-
sex Place, which consists of several buildings
in Chinese aving octagonal towers, sur
mounted by cupola and minarets. From this
Place, the grounds Of the Park appear in all
their beauty groves, gardens, sheets of water,
interspersed with villas, lodges and airy bridges
The view is closed on the onnoSita sidA hu tho