STATUE OF CHARLES II., CHELSEA HOSPITAL 312 CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN 324 THE GARDEN OF SIR LAURENCE ALMA-TADEMA, R.A. 334 THE LILY POND, HOLLAND HOUSE 340 ST. JOHN’S LODGE, REGENT’S PARK 347 IN THE TEXT PAGE DOLPHIN FOUNTAIN IN HYDE PARK 39 FOUNTAINS AT THE END OF THE SERPENTINE 43 A CORNER OF THE QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL GARDENS 81 STONE VASE IN REGENT’S PARK 101 PAGODA ON THE ISLAND, VICTORIA PARK 138 STOKE NEWINGTON CHURCH FROM CLISSOLD PARK 143 FOUNTAIN BY TINWORTH, KENNINGTON PARK 167 STATUE OF MRS. SIDDONS, PADDINGTON GREEN 214 WINTER GARDEN, DUKE STREET, GROSVENOR SQUARE 220 SUN-DIAL, ST. BOTOLPH’S 256 TRINITY ALMSHOUSES, MILE END ROAD 293 ABBEY GARDEN, WESTMINSTER 301 GARDEN GATE, CHELSEA HOSPITAL 314 IN THE GARDEN, ST. JOHN’S LODGE 349 London Parks & Gardens CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY _London, thou art the Flour of cities all._ --WILLIAM DUNBAR, 1465–1530. London has a peculiar fascination of its own, and to a vast number of English-speaking people all over the world it appeals with irresistible force. So much has been said and written about it that the theme might seem to be worn out, yet there are still fresh aspects to present, still hidden charms to discover, still deep problems to solve. The huge, unwieldly mass, which cannot be managed or legislated for as other towns, but has to be treated as a county, enfolds within its area all the phases of human life. It embraces every gradation from wealth to poverty, from the millionaire to the pauper alien. The collection of buildings which together make London are a most singular assortment of innumerable variations between beauty and ugliness, between palaces and works of art and hovels of sordid and unlovely squalor.