of ornamenting the town by relieving the artificial character of the
buildings and streets by the refreshing verdure of trees and grass and
shrubbery, and that it may afford a place for rest and recreation for
tired wayfarers and laborers, and nurses with their children, and a
pleasant resort for rest and refreshment when the labors of the day are
at an end.

"Its arrangement, therefore, should be such as to set forth these
objects so obviously that no one could look upon the scene without
perceiving it. The trees should be so arranged in groups and in such
varieties as would afford picturesque effects when seen from the
principal points of approach. The paths and open areas should be so
arranged as to prevent the possibility of saving time by a short cut
across, and so provided with seats under the shade of the trees as to
invite to repose, instead of this, in nine cases out of ten, the trees
(if any are planted) are simply set in rows at equal distances, without
the faintest attempt at picturesque effect, and the paths are carried
diagonally across from corner to corner for the express purpose of
affording an opportunity for a short-cut to every one who is hastening
to or from his business. The consequence is that at certain hours the
paths are filled by a hurrying throng whose presence would alone suffice
to banish the effect of repose which should be the ruling spirit of the
place, while at all other times it is comparatively deserted.

"Perhaps these ideas might not be satisfactory to your people, and I
have therefore set them forth somewhat at length in order that you may
understand what I conceive should be the ruling principle of
arrangement."

I perceived that my visitor was somewhat disturbed and it was not till