The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-02-17
LONDON SUBURBS.


uaudsOmr Country Plnces and Good Roads
SOCIAL Amusements
One Of the first things that arresta
the attention Of foreigner when ex.
ploring suburban North London is the
hedges Running along each side OF
the roadway they rise four, five and six
feet in height They are in this dis
trict commonly Of hawthorn, and are
kept carefully trimmed by their owners.
presenting refreshing, continuous
fence of this sweet towering shrub for
miles and miles Sometimes there is q
break In this green hedge. 1t usually
occurs at some large estate whose
owner, apparently jealous lest the pub
lie may zee the treasures of his grounds
and wither them by their gaze. puts up
. seven-foot "boarding" of split oak"
--oaken boards split from the log-all
around. 1t makes a hideously ugly
fence; stone or brick wall would be
no more expensive. md not SO un-
slightly; but the oak fence "is the
thing" and consequently the general
rural harmony and picturesqueness is
destroyed.
The roads are generally macadamized
and are always kept in excellent condi-
tion. They are raised in the center
ald slope toward the sides, where
here are little "dikes" or channels to
carry off the water. Except on the
main roads, there is no attempt at
''made" sidewalks. The usual plan is
to allow the grass to grow between the
hawthorn hedges and the dikes, except
where foot passengers beat out n path
from their constant passing to and fro.
Sometimes ''shingle" is thrown upon
this pathway by the different owners
along the road; but, as rule. It is left
to its natural state. and certainly it
makes a charming effect.
Sometimes, as we pass private
or oak fence. and right through the
grounds (of course not Interfering with
the gardens. etc. we find pathway.
These pathways belong to the public,
and cannot be disturbed or closed.
Such passage is called a ''right-of-
way" In many cases, should these
paths pass through gentleman's
stable yard. gates, without locks, are
put on them, but more often we find
the old stile. The stiles are not nova
BILE. They are made in various ways,
but they must be climbed over, and it
is peculiar charm to the young swain
to have the privilege of helping his
lady love over theul
And now we shall enter the grounds
of one of the residents and have "a clos
er view of them and him. We pass
through a swinging gate and walk
through beautifully laid out lawn to
the house, which is splendid lime
stone structure Its master receives
us politely, and when we tell him we
are strangers-America desire
to learn something of English suburban
life, he cordially shows US around his
grounds, while we ply him with ques-
tions pertaining to the programme we
have set ourselves to complete. On our
way to Waltham Cross we passed by
New river. There it looked like canal
beautifully kept, with green. grassy
sides and lined on either side with pop
lars, elms and plane trees But here it
winds through this gentleman's
grounds. and gives additional beauty
70 his exquisitely planted lawn and
gardens. lie informs us that this is an
artificial river, the cutting of it's chan
mel was begun hundreds of years ago.
and that it comes from great distance
to supply London with water. Every
person whose grounds it passes through
Is bound, by agreement. to keep that
part of it thoroughly clean; but at stated
intervals the officers of the New River
company come to examine it and remove
any foul bottom that might collect be-
tween the cleanings. 1t is certainly q
delightful addition to the beauty of the
grounds of suburban North London,
through which it passes, and for ap-
pearance sake, If for no other reason,
they keep its banks scrupulously neat
and fower-bedeclked.
Through the trees we see tennis
party in full swing, and beyond. in the
open field, the haymakers are tossing
the hay. while the little ones romp
around it A more beautiful picture of
happiness it would be difficult to i'm
agine Then we go to see the green.
houses, ferneries, graperies, orchid
houses and other glass houses in this
beautiful garden, and are delighted at
the polite interest our host takes in ex-
planning everything to us Behind tho
greenhouses is an excellent vegetable
garden, from which the wants of the
household are supplied. When we re-
turn to the house our host kindly in
vites us to have a glass of wine and q
biscuit. This is a typical North Lon
don resident of the better class. He ia
in some business in the city, but here
An his home he is gentleman of leis.
'ure for the time being, hospitable, re-
Aned and intellectual.
A word about social amusements.
One evening of each week the gentle
mans whist club meets at the home OF
one OF the members. by this. together
with the frequent dinner parties, balls,
tennis and garden parties. etc, a social
'cordiality is sustained. SO that in the
matter OF amusements the suburban
residents of North London are ut least
upon level with those of similarly
placed families in any other part of the
world. In the matter of exercise, the
young men and the young women keep
,up the proverbial love Of the English
youths for outdoor games. sports and
walking. Tennis, badminton and Gro.
iauet are the favorate games OF the
women The men join inthese, but, OF
course. cricket is the young, and old
Englishman's game par excellence
Not much more can be said. except
about the little ones. From an early
iage they are taught drilling. deport
.!ment and dancing; they enjoy the snme
games and sport as do all other chill