The Persons who keep this ground from the Public, charity commands us to hope, do so, for reasons which appear to them to be good and sufficient; perhaps they think that it is most profitably, if not most properly, employed in being let out, as it appears to be, to Gardeners and Graziers!—at the same time gradually cutting it up into sites for Buildings as fast as they can find persons to speculate in it. To effect this without incurring the notice and consequent indignation of the Public, the encroachments upon their expected Playground have generally been commenced in the Winter Season, at a time when there are few People to observe them; and are so far advanced before the arrival of Fine weather, that it is useless to complain—The Ground is gone, for 99 years!!!
“Our gracious King gave this ground to the Public,—surely a part of it at least might be open to that Public. Is it not a pity to see it wholly occupied by Market Gardeners, and Horses, and Cows, and Calves, to the total exclusion of Mr. Bull himself!”
“When and What Part of the Park is to be opened?”
The Public should certainly be informed of this, as it would guide them in the choice of Residences: some will like to live opposite to the lively scene which will be in the Part which is thrown open,—others, the quiet of that part that is opposite to the Slip of ground which is appropriated to the occupiers of the houses in the Park, and Persons who pay for Keys.
A certain portion, opposite to Portland Place, from which there is no View and no Variety, has been recently decorated with Rows of Trees. Surely this is not all that is to be saved from the Villa builders.
Who would propose to build Villas upon the highest and best ground in Hyde Park? and why should a difference be made?
Are these Parks not equally the property of the Public? And the site of the Regent’s Park, if left unoccupied by buildings, would be more generally valuable to the Public as an Airing Ground, as it is more centrically situated than the other.
DRIVING.
To know how to Drive, so as to preserve the Carriage from the injury which it would otherwise receive by violent Jolts, Twists, &c., is a Merit of no small Value.