New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-19

a return 10 nature is q moral necessity, and wise
representatives of law and love early and always
have felt and Obeyed the instinct in arranging ana
endOwing state and municipal privileges MI
Robinson descrbesthe Jardin des Plantes Versailles
FOntainebleau, the Luxembourg and the IulIerles'
the Bots de Boulogne, and other similar parks and
gardens of Paris, in the spirit and with the
knowledge of botanist and hmucnlturlst
leaving the historical details, so abundant
and remarkable, identified with these memer-
able resorts, he treats them in the hight OF
great scientific economy; his object is practical;
they do these things better in France" is saying
which has far wider significance than Sterne in
tended and how and wherein the French system of
cultivating and keeping gardens and parks exces
the English system or want thereof is lucidly set
forth in this handsome volume. 1t is, i'll fact an in
genious combination of botanical and executive
hints and facts how vegetables arc raised for the
Paris market, and the method whereby peach, pear,
and vine culture have attained such rare perfection
around the Capital of France are described in con-
nectiOn with graphic delineatOn of her celebrated
parks and gardens; we are told how salads and aspar
agus are raised in the vicinity of Paris, and
peach garden at MontTeuil is described, as
well as the gladiolus grounds Of NJ. Souchet
and the Orangery Of Versailles. MIR. Robinson
is quite aware of the errors IN taste OF the OLD
regime and does not spare the fororn and prlm pop
lar avenues, the artifcially clipped yew ana box
which so harmonic with the wigs, hoops, and IAN
tasic costume Of the same era and the perverted IN
stincts and conventional absurdties then prevalent:
but at the same time, he indicates the admirable
tact and talent displayed i some of the horticul-
tural methods now in vogue in France, and gives us
a most agreeable insight into the vegetable culture
there. In fact. what Sir Henry Bulwer did Tor the
politics and society and Sir Francis Head Tor the
minor economies of Paris. Mr.. Robinson has done
for her gardening fruitOrchards, and rural resorts
and resources His aim has been to give an idea OF
the efforts that arc being made to amehoTate
the conditions of life there" by means OF
natural bengnites such the Creator originally or
dained for the comfort, peace, and pleasure OF h-
manity. He sketches not only the Champs Elysees,
but the Garden of Accumulation and includes, IN
his brief panorama not only the Place dc la Concorde,
but Pore la Chase the subject is regarded from both
q sanitary and scientific point of view. His work
abounds in practical hints and authentic facts of de-
cded value to the landscape gardener, the hortcnl
turist, and the superintendent of puplc grounds
Our as yet undevelOped country, our many newly
planned cities, should take advantage of European
experience and example in this regard how to utll-
ze natural advantages and to anticipate the require
ments of the future, is the great problem before
our young communities in the laying out of their
towns; while the older cities of country but re-
Gently awakened to the inestimable value and moral
necessity of public parks and gardens, may most
wisely avail themselves of the valuable information
and wise suggestions contained in this interesting
work