The plan and size of the park is in every respect worthy of
the nation. It is larger than Hyde-park, St. James's, and
the Greenpark together; and the trees planted in it about
twelve years ago have already become umbrageous. The water
is very extensive. As you are rowed on it, the variety of
views you come upon is admirable: sometimes you are in a
narrow stream, closely overhung by the branches of trees;
presently you open upon a wide sheet of water, like a lake,
with swans sunning themselves on its bosom; by and by your
boat floats near the edge of a smooth lawn fronting one of
the villas; and then again you catch the perspective of a
range of superb edifices, the elevation of which is
contrived to have the effect of one palace. The park, in
fact, is now belted with groups of these mansions, entirely
excluding all sight of the streets. Those that are finished,
give a satisfactory earnest of the splendid spirit in which
the whole is to be accomplished. There will be nothing like
it in Europe. The villas in the interior of the park are
planted out from the view of each other, so that the
inhabitant of each seems, in his prospect, to be the sole
lord of the surround-ing picturesque scenery.
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