THE GARDEN OF LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIB,—The garden of Lincoln's Inn Fields is, I believe, one of the• largest of the kind in London, and within fifty yards of it are some of the most squalid and crowded parts of this town. Spring- time is creeping on, and the grass in that garden is growing green,. and the trees and shrubs are beginning to put forth buds,— crocuses and primroses there are none to be seen, apparently the• trustees of the garden think them too insignificant to be culti- vated. But if any one passes by this garden, especially if it is a sunny day, he will see sitting or playing on the parapet, and peer- ing wistfully through the rails, any number of children from the neighbouring "slums." But the gates are locked, and the only living things to be seen inside are a few sparrows. In fact, these- gardens are practically useless, except as preserving a certain space free from houses in a crowded part of the Metropolis. But it would be difficult to overestimate the amount of health and innocent pleasure which would be given to scores of poor children, if these gardens were, under proper regulations, opened to the public. Surely there must be some among the many active and. energetic men of business who congregate round these gardens,. who can appreciate the pleasures and the benefits which their own children receive from the country, and who will not be wholly heedless of those which the poor children from the alleys of Clare Market and Drury Lane would obtain froni what would be to. them the semi-country of the gardens of Lincoln's Inn Fields.. Let them, then, spare a little of their energy to obtain the opening
of these gardens.—I am, Sir, &c., E. S. ROSCOE.
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