There where the lovers find delight, the student finds repose,
secluded from the busy haunts of men, and yet able, by a few strides, to
mingle again at pleasure with the world, the man of
3 Since called the Five-fields, Chelsea; and a favourite
resort of the Westminster scholars of that time, but now
built upon.
~70~~contemplation turns aside to consult his favourite theme, and
having run out his present stock of thoughtful meditation, wheels him
round, and finds himself one of the busy group again.{4} As we advance
4 The Rogent's-park, formerly called Marylebone, is an
improve-ment of this nature. It was originally a park, and
had a royal palace in it, where, I believe, Queen Elizabeth
occasionally resided. It was disbarked by Oliver Cromwell,
who settled it on Colonel Thomas Harrison's regiment of
dragoons for their pay; but at the restoration of Charles
II. it passed into the hands of other possessors; from which
time it has descended through different proprietors, till,
at length, it has reverted to the Crown, by whose public
spirit a magnificent park is secured to the inhabitants of
London. The expense of its planting, &c. must have been
enormous; but money cannot be better laid out than on
purposes of this lasting benefit and national ornament.
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