8 JUNE 1901, Page 14

THE GREEN GIRDLE.

[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR:"]

was exceedingly interested in your article on the above subject in the Spectator of May 18th, but allow me to direct'your and your readers' attention to a point which I have not seen noticed in your correspondence, that the "green girdle" round London is no new thing: it is as old as Queen Elizabeth. Her desire was to curtail the increasing size of London, by surrounding the Metropolis of her day with boulevards to be kept free from houses, and to act as lungs to London. It was never carried out, more's the pity. It would have been comparatively easy in the days of good Queen Bess; but whether it would be practicable now is more than problematical,—more to be wished than hoped for.—