larger, George III. reducing it in 1767, to enlarge the gardens of old Buckingham House. The Green Park owes much of its present beauty to the taste and activity of Lord Duncannon (the late Earl of Bessborough), when chief Commissioner of the Woods and Forests, during the Grey and Melbourne administrations. Observe. On the E. side of the Park, Stafford House, the residence of the Duke of Sutherland; Bridgewater House, the residence of the Earl of Ellesmere; Spencer House, the residence of Earl Spencer; the brick house with five windows, built in 1747, by Flitcroft, for the celebrated Lady Hervey; 22, St. James's-place (next a narrow opening), distinguished by bow windows and a pink blind, the residence of the Poet Rogers; Earl of Yarborough's, in Arlington-street, built by Kent, for Henry Pelham. The small gardens attached to the houses belong to the Crown, but are let on lease to the owners of the houses. In this park, fronting the house in Arlington-street, was fought the duel with swords, between Mr. Pulteney, afterwards Earl of Bath, and John, Lord Hervey, the Fanny of the poet Pope.

REGENT'S PARK, a park of 403 acres, part of old Marylebone Park, for a long time disparked, and familiarly known as Marylebone Farm and Fields. The present Park was laid out in 1812, from the plans of Mr. John Nash, Architect, who designed all the terraces except Cornwall-terrace, which was designed by Mr. Decimus Burton. The Park derives its name from the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV., who intended building a residence here on the N.E. side of the Park. Part of Regent-street was actually designed as a communication from the Prince's residence to Carlton House, St. James's Palace, &c. The Crown property comprises, besides the Park, the upper part of Portland-place, from No. 8, the Parkcrescent and square, Albany, Osnaburgh, and the adjoining cross streets, York and Cumberland-squares, Regent's-Parkbasin and Augustus-street, Park-villages E. and W., and the outer road. The Zoological Gardens occupy a large portion of the upper end of the Park. The Holme, a villa in the centre of the Park, so called, was erected by Mr. William Burton, architect, who covered with houses the Foundling Hospital and Skinner estates; and erected York and Cornwall-terraces, in this Park. Through the midst of the Park, line with Portland-place and along the E. side of the Zoological Gardens, runs a fine broad avenue lined with trees, and from which footpaths ramify across the sward in all directions, interspersed with ornamental plantations; laid out in 1833, and opened to the public in

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1838. Around the Park runs an agreeable drive nearly two miles long. An inner drive, in the form of a circle, encloses the Botanic Gardens. Contiguous to the inner circle is St. John's Lodge, seat of Baron Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, overlooking a beautiful sheet of water, close to which is the garden of the Toxopholite Society. On the outer road is the villa of James Holford, Esq. St. Dunstan's Villa, somewhat S. of Mr. Holford's, was erected by Decimus Burton for the late Marquis of Hertford. In its gardens are placed the identical clock and automaton strikers which once adorned St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet-street. When old St. Dunstan's was pulled down the giants were put up to auction, and the marquis became their purchaser. They still do duty in striking the hours and quarters. In the chapel of St. Katherine's Hospital, on the E. side of the Park, is the tomb of John Holland, Duke of Exeter (d. 1447), and his two wives; and a pulpit of wood, the gift of Sir Julius Cæsar; both removed, in 1827, from St. Katherine's at the Tower.

VICTORIA PARK, BETHNAL GREEN, a park of 160 acres, planted and laid out in the reign of the Sovereign whose name it bears. The first cost of formation was covered by the purchase-money received from the Duke of Sutherland, to whom the remainder of the Crown lease of York House, St. James's, was sold in 1841 for 72,000l. It is bounded on the S. by Sir George Duckett's canal (sometimes called the Lea Union Canal); on the W. by the Regent's Canal; on the E. by Old Ford-lane, leading from Old Ford to Hackney Wick ; and on the N. by an irregular line of fields. It serves as a lung for the N.E. part of London, and has already added to the health of the inhabitants of Spitalfields and Bethnal-green. The leases of building ground surrounding the Park have been delayed till the roads and walks become more perfect, and the plantations in a more advanced state.

BATTERSEA PARK, a government Park on the banks of the Thames, over against Chelsea Hospital; formed at a cost of 200,000l., pursuant to 9 and 10 Vic., c. 38.

GREENWICH PARK, a park of 174 acres, extending from the high ground of Blackheath down to the Thames at Greenwich Hospital, agreeably diversified with hill and dale, and from "One Tree Hill" and another eminence on which the Royal Observatory is erected, commanding a noble view of London and the river Thames. The Observatory was established in the reign of Charles II., and Flamstead, Halley, and Bradley, were the first three Astronomers Royal. The

older portion of the building was erected from the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. The lower portion of the tower is the residence of Mr. Airy, the present Astronomer Royal. "Greenwich Time," celebrated over the whole world, is marked every day at 1 o'clock, by the dropping of the Time Ball--a black ball about six feet in diameter surmounting the eastmost turret of the old building. There is no admission to the Observatory for strangers, visitors, &c., the Astronomical, Magnetical, and Meteorological observations conducted in the several rooms requiring silence and retirement. The salary of the Astronomer Royal is 800l. a year, and the whole Observatory is maintained at the expense of about 4000l. a year. A trip down the river to Greenwich, a visit to Greenwich Hospital, a stroll in Greenwich Park, and a dinner after at the Trafalgar Hotel or the Crown and Sceptre, will be found a delightful way of passing an afternoon, from 1, of a fine summer's day, till it is time to return home for bed in the cool of the evening. This beautiful Park-the Park of the Royal manor of Greenwich-was planted, much as we now see it, in the reign of Charles II. Le Nôtre, it is said, was the artist employed; but his name does not occur in the accounts for the plantations made by Charles II.

RICHMOND PARK, 9 miles from London, and 1 from the Station of the Richmond Railway :-the Park of the Royal manor of Richmond, owing much of its present beauty to King Charles I. and King George II. The principal entrance is close to the Star and Garter Inn. Be sure and enter by this gate, keeping to the right (as you enter) for about half a mile past Pembroke Lodge, the residence of Lord John Russell. The view begins a few yards within the gate, is stopped by the inclosure of Pembroke Lodge; but soon reappears. The view overlooking the Thames is not to be surpassed. An afternoon at Richmond and Twickenham, and a dinner afterwards in the Coffee Room of the Star and Garter, will make a capital pendant to an afternoon at Greenwich.

KENSINGTON GARDENS. Pleasure-grounds attached to Kensington Palace, and open to the public, but not to be traversed by carriages. They are much resorted to by equestrians; and, till 1851, by children and nursemaids, seeking air and exercise. The stranger in London should, during the London season, make a point of visiting these Gardens, between 5 and 6 p.m. on certain week days, when the band plays. The Gardens are then filled with gaily dressed promenaders, and the German will be reminded of

the scene in the Prater. The days are not fixed, but every information about them may be obtained of any of the lodgekeepers at Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens. The band belongs to the regiment stationed at the Knightsbridge barracks, and is either the Horse Guards' or the Life Guards' band. Kensington Gardens were laid out in the reign of William III., by London and Wise, and originally consisted of only 26 acres; Queen Anne added 30 acres, under Bridgeman's superintendence, and Caroline (Queen of George II.) 300 under the care of Kent. The Serpentine was formed 1730-33; and the bridge over it, separating the Gardens from Hyde Park, was designed by Rennie, and erected 1826.

KEW BOTANICAL GARDENS, 5 miles from Hyde Park Corner, on the road to Richmond. The gardens have been laid out under the direction of Sir W. Jackson Hooker, the Botanist. The best way of reaching Kew is by one of the White Richmond or red-coloured Kew Bridge omnibuses that leave Piccadilly every quarter of an hour-fare 1s.; and the best account of the Gardens is Sir W. Hooker's own little Handbook, to be purchased at the Gardens, price 6d. The entrance is on Kew Green, by very handsome gates, designed by Decimus Burton. Visitors are obliged to leave baskets and parcels with the porter at the gate. The Palm House, the leading attraction of the Gardens, is 362 feet long, 100 feet wide, 64 feet high, and cost nearly 30,000l. Here, too, the Victoria Regia may be seen.

Among the hothouses--that devoted to Cactuses is alone worth going 5 miles to see. Here are specimens whose thickness exceeds that of the body of a man-brought 700 miles from the interior of South America.

The Botanical Museum, formed by Sir W. Hooker, is filled with vegetable objects, most instructive and interesting. The Gardens are beautifully kept, prettily laid out, and most creditable to the present director. In short, London and its neighbourhood affords no more pleasing sight. The Gardens are open daily. (See Hints and Suggestions, p. xlvii.) Gentlemen requiring good gardeners can occasionally obtain them here; the Royal Gardens at Kew forming a kind of horticultural college, to which even foreign gardeners are constantly seeking to be admitted. The salary of the Director is 800l. a year.

HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, or THE NEW PALACE AT WESTMINSTER, on the left bank of the Thames, between