The main object sought to be attained in this correspondence was to induce the Government to purchase two plots of land adjoining Primrose Hill Park, together about eighteen acres, that space may be given to a great and rapidly-increasing population for football and cricket. It is probable most persons who know the wants of the district will be of opinion that it is very desirable this should be done. Every summer’s evening there is, in the small space of ground now available in the Regent’s Park, over-crowding and a badly made game. Many who wish to play cannot for want of room, and two fine boys, about fourteen years of age, complained that they were frequently hit, and the balls crossed each other so closely that they did not know their own ball. But another proposal was incidentally mentioned, upon which there cannot be the same unanimity. It is suggested that a road should be made from the top of Portland Place for equestrians, carriages, and cabs through the Regent’s Park, and then to some part of Hampstead Heath. If any one considering this question will stand at the top of Portland Place and imagine the same carried on straight through the park, and then, as far as now can be done, a park-like road made to the Heath, and reflect how charming and healthy such a drive and ride must be, with the bracing air and beautiful views on all sides, easy and pleasant of access, he, perhaps, may think the scheme worthy of very careful investigation.Those who are acquainted with Paris know the extraordinary change for the better effected when a new and direct road was carried from the Arc de L’Etoile to the Bois de Boulogne, and it is to be presumed that improvements will, without loss of time, be made in Hampstead Heath, and, as in the Bois de Boulogne, suitable rides and drives created. The natural advantages of the situation are in favour of London as compared with Paris, and it is not too much to say, if proper use is made of them, that, as a whole, Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill Park, and Hampstead Heath will, for all the purposes that parks are formed, be unsurpassed in Europe.

But to open the park at Portland Place may require an Act of Parliament, and many may think the Regent’s Park is best as it is; nevertheless, the extreme beauty of a road through the centre of the Regent’s Park, in addition to being so much nearer, ought to be a consideration. It will shorten the drive to Primrose Hill going and returning, over the present route, nearly a mile; but should this not be deemed sufficient reason for the change, then it may be desirable to make a carriage bridge over the canal instead of the present foot bridge at the end of the Broad Walk, opening into the Albert Road at St. Mark’s Church and close by Primrose Hill.

Should public opinion approve this scheme there is no reason to suppose the Government will offer any opposition to it.

2, St. Edmund’s Terrace,
Regent’s Park North,
25th June, 1873.