Chelsea, are situated on the north bank of the Thames, just above Battersea bridge. These truly beautiful grounds, which are completely surrounded by numerous lofty forest trees, consists of various open glades or lawns, connected with each other in a very agreeable manner. The river esplanade, divided from the rest by a road and bridged over by a handsome structure, is a pleasing walk, overlooking the Thames. The entertainments at these gardens are of a similar character to those of Vauxhall; and from the more open situation of Cremorne, it has become a very popular place of resort. In the grounds is a handsome yet fantastic Chinese orchestra, where concerts of vocal and instrumental music are performed. The rotunda is a noble and even elegant room, fitted up as a theatre, and capable, with 'ts galleries, of accommodating nearly two thousand persons. On the right of this is a spacious lawn, many acres in extent, from whence day and night balloon ascents are made, and where archery is daily practised. In front of the theatre is an erection for the display of fireworks, which usually concludes the evening's amusements. Among other novelties, a series of aquatic tournaments are held during the season, in front of the river esplanade.

When lighted up in the evening, the effect of the whole is really dazzling, the wavy lines of the orchestra lamps, contrasting with the straight and formal lines in other parts of the gardens, the statues in the broad walk, each having a single lamp, and the various buildings, with their different devices, form a picturesque glare that is at once pleasing yet dazzling in the extreme.

The gardens are under the management of Mr. T. B. Simpson.

Open daily during the summer months. Admission, one shilling. Omnibus fare, from Charing Cross, threepence; steam-boats convey visitors from all the river piers to Chelsea, fare threepence.

There is a good hotel attached for the accommodation of the visitors, the refreshments at which, as well as in the grounds, are at once excellent and moderate in their charges.

FLORA GARDENS,

Wyndham Road, Camberwell. A suburban pleasure garden, of considerable extent, in which, during the summer season, take place nightly a vocal and instrumental concert, succeeded by a display of fireworks. May be easily reached by the Camberwell or Kennington

omnibuses.

Open daily. Admission, sixpence.

ST. HELENA GARDENS,

Lower Deptford Road, Rotherhithe. The grounds are of a pleasing description, interspersed with bowers, alcoves, and shady arenas, and are laid out with such excellent taste and judgment, that

Wheresoe'er we turn our ravished eyes,

Delightful scenes and rural prospects rise.

The grand hall is capable of accommodating one thousand persons, in which vocal and instrumental concerts take place nightly throughout the week.

Open daily. Gala nights, Monday and Tuesday. Admission, sixpence.

PLEASURE GARDENS.

The character of these places have, with the habits of the people, experienced a very considerable change; and tea, formerly the chief article of consumption here, has been supplanted by liquors of a more stimulating character. At some of these, concerts of an inferior description are performed; and other attractions are added that generally detain the company, always of a miscellaneous character, till the approach of midnight. The following are the principal in the vicinity of the metropolis :-New Bayswater Tea Gardens; Manor House Tavern, Walworth; Chalk Farm, Primrose Hill; Copenhagen House, Copenhagen Fields; Highbury Barn; Hornsey Wood House, the grounds of which include a fine wood and an extensive piece of water; Jack Straw's Castle, Hampstead Heath Mount Pleasant, Clapton; and the Red House, Battersea Fields.

Regents Park, is similar in design, and nearly as large, as the Pantheon at Rome: it was erected in 1824, from the designs of Mr. Decimus Burton, and is one of the most colossal structures ever designed by individual enterprise for the gratification of the public, being one hundred and thirty feet in diameter, by one hundred and ten feet in height; it is polygonal in form, and is surmounted by an immense glazed cupola. In front is a grand portico, with six large fluted columns, of the Grecian-Doric order, supporting a bold pediment.

In this noble building, itself a great ornament to the Regent's Park, was exhibited the extraordinary Panorama of London, originally designed by Mr. Horner, and painted by Mr. E. T. Parris, and which for many years was the most attractive exhibition in London.

The entrance to the building is from the Regent's Park; on descending a bold staircase, the doorway of the "Museum of Sculpture," is on the left hand; and on passing through it the spectator is immediately within a noble rotunda, lighted by an entire dome of richly cut glass, to the extent of several thousand feet. The frieze is enriched with the entire Panathenaic procession from the Elgin Marbles, over which are twenty allegorical subjects in fresco painting, on panels. On the floor around, in recesses, and in the room are numerous admirable specimens of sculpture, by several of the most eminent artists of Europe, consisting of colossal statues, minor figures beautifully wrought, and busts of eminent persons; and round the room are couches covered with embroidered velvet, for the convenience of the visitors. In the centre of this apartment is an immense organ, performances on which during the afternoon and evening add greatly to the gratificatiion of the company. Beneath this instrument is the entrance to the staircase leading to the admirably executed panorama of

LONDON BY DAY.

This most elaborate work exhibiting a panoramic view of London, taken from the top of St. Paul's, was painted by Mr. E. T. Paris, from sketches made by Mr. Horner, and presents the rare combination of minute detail, with a truth of effect absolutely amounting to deception. This painting which is exhibited during the day, is in the evening followed by the extraordinary panoramic view of

PARIS BY NIGHT,

a work of great artistic power, and especially interesting as the scene and centre of the revolutionary excesses of 1848, all the most prominent points in the insurrection of June, being clearly pourtrayed. Standing on a lofty eminence, the spectator sees spread around him a mighty city, the gay inhabitants crowding the marts of commerce, or the numerous places of fashionable resort; the bridges, churches, public establishments, and palaces, with their gardens glittering with fountains, indeed, all the places rendered so famous by the late revolution are easily recognisable.

This panorama, painted by Messrs. Danson & Son, from their own sketches taken on the spot, is another of those stupendous works of art for which these gentlemen are so justly celebrated; and well supports the high position in public favour which this establishment has obtained, it being unquestionably one of the most important exhibitions in the metropolis, alike unequalled for the magnitude of its resources, and the taste which is displayed in their development.

On quitting the rotunda, the Conservatories, with their choice flowers and shrubs, next demand notice. This department is most tastefully laid out, and the handsome plate looking-glasses, by multiplying objects, afford an idea of space that is greatly relieving to the eye. The Gothic Aviary is a gorgeously fitted-up apartment, in which natives of the waters are floating in the stream, and tenants of

the air, of every variety of species and plumage, dazzle the eye and gratify the ear. The combination of harmonious colouring is tastefully preserved throughout, and the choice selection of trees and plants in the conservatory are most happily blended in their hues with the bright plumage of the feathered creation.

Proceeding from the conservatory between craggy rocks, down which the falling cascades leap from crag to crag, is reached the hoary ruins of temples and arcades, forming a striking contrast to the spot just left, from nature in all its living loveliness to art in wild and mutilated decay.

The Temple of Theseus, with its erumbling pillars; the arch of Titus, and the temple of Vesta, are here faithfully imitated. The manner in which the wreck of these ancient buildings is dispersed is quite inartificial, and the whole is rendered more so by the clinging and spreading rock and other plants, growing profusely in the vicinity, and twining their creeping limbs round the relics of an early world.

The Swiss Cottage, designed by P. F. Robinson, Esq., is next entered, from which may be obtained a view of the mountain scenery, admirably painted by Mr. Danson. The cottage itself is very compact, and characteristic of the country, nearly encircled by a lake; on the opposite side of its front are large piles of rocks and glaciers, down which a cataract is falling into the water below; the effect of which is superb, and with the distant mill, cottage, and bridge, and the mountain firs, are remarkably true to nature. The window commands a finely executed view of the valley of the Tete Noire Pass, with cascades of real water dashing down the mountain side, where

Rocks and forests, lakes and mountains grand,
Mark the true majesty of Nature's hand.

The Stalactite Caverns, although the last, are by no means the least interesting portion of this truly unequalled exhibition. Designed and executed by Mr. Bradwell, from the celebrated natural caverns at Adelsburg, they approach as near perfection as it is possible for human effort to go. True, the scale of dimensions is necessarily reduced, but after passing through the rugged gallery, and entering the windings of the cavern, a series of apparently interminable distances present themselves; the lights from the numerous chandeliers and fires are brilliant rainbow hues, that are constantly varying from a golden hue to crimson, purple, and a thousand mingled dyes, glowing in the richest brightness of resplendent gems. In one part appears the dark waters of a lake formed from a portion of the river Poiste, (which flows right across the cavern) and on its surface are multiplications of the truly gorgeous splendour of the surrounding objects.

Open daily, from half-past ten till five o'clock, and in the evening from seven till half-past ten o'clock; music from two till five o'clock, and during the evening. Admission, two shillings; children and schools, half-price; Stalactite caverns, sixpence extra. Descriptive guide, sixpence.

Omnibuses from all parts of London pass within a short distance of the entrance.