OPEN PARKS.
ONE of the last acts of the late Ministers was to throw open the Regent's Park ; and, that they might gild their setting sun with the lustre of one popular deed, they did not wait for completing the fences. The breadth of sward thus added to the public plea- sure-ground is considerable—some sixty acres ; but this, added to what was previously open, falls far short of the two hundred acres that Lord TEIGNMOUTH stated was available out of the two hun- dred and eighty-six that the Park contains. Nevertheless it is very nearly all that remained unappropriated ; without revoking agreements with a few individuals, who have been favoured at the ex- pense of the public: with the public Tories and Whigs have alike broken faith in this instance. The space now thrown open is the large tract of grass lying between the grounds of the Marquis of HERTFORD'S villa and the broad gravel-walk, and extending from the Zoological Gardens to the ornamental water. A light and ele- gant suspension-bridge, with a flagged foot-way, crosses the canal between the Marquis's grounds and the enclosed garden in front of Hanover Terrace; and the views from this bridge of the villa and gardens, and the lake, are very pretty : gates of entrance are opened at various other points ; and gravel-walks, leading from them in a serpentine direction, will facilitate the passage across the Park, and contribute to the convenience of promenaders. A very liberal margin is allowed to skirt the private grounds of the villas; but as these are railed off only by open wire fences, the range of • view is quite as extensive as may be, and the parterres and planta- tions form a pleasing boundary to the scene. When the walks are finished, the turf levelled, a group of trees planted here and there, a few more seats erected, and the communication opened with Primrose Hill, now become public property, the Regent's Park will be the most healthful and delightful place of recreation in the Metropolis.
The Green Park, too, now shows the good effects of those opera- tions that in their commencement alarmed the jealous apprehen- sions of the Londoners for their favourite grass thoroughfare. The new-dressed turf now wears its freshest verdure after the soaking of summer rains, which made passengers sensible of the value of the firm gravel-walks : the benches placed at frequent intervals are an additional comfort; besides being neat-looking and substantial, they afford no temptation to the idle and mischievous to deface them, as they consist only of a flat seat without back or arms.
While on this track, let us step out to Kepsington Gardens, and admire the improvements that have already increased the health- fulness of that attractive spot, by causing a freer circulation of air, and will hereafter contribute greatly to the beauty of the foliage. The thinning of the groves and the felling of many large trees that were unsound along the walks, have given a nakedness to some parts; but the filling-up of hollows, the removal of hedges and other obstructions, the extensive plan of drainage, and the substitu- tion of vigorous saplings for decayed old trees, are advantages that will be appreciated more and more every year : the parterres of shrubs and flowers, bordering the path running parallel to the Kensington road, make it a beautiful proMenade; and the flourish- ing plantations along this and the other side are even now orna- mental.
Let us not forget, either, the formation of Victoria Park at Hack- ney, for the benefit of the East-end of the town and the residents of the Tower Hamlets especially, in recounting the good deeds of the " Woods and Forests" under the Whig regime.
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