THE THAMES AT TWICKENHAM.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:]
SIR,—A very beautiful and characteristic bit of the Thames is threatened with destruction,—to wit, the small park at Orleans House, Twickenham, which runs beside the river- bank. The opposite side has been saved from Kew to Kingston by private and public effort, but what is one bank without the other? Cannot the place be bought for a public park ? Orleans House is to be sold very shortly, and this means, no doubt, building over its thirty acres right down to the towing-path. The house, built by Secretary Johnstone in the reign of Queen Anne, was long the residence of the exiled Orleans Princes, the latest being the popular and respected Duo d'Aumale, but, although a good example of the architec- ture of its day, has no special claims upon us. It is otherwise with the park. The facts speak for themselves. Will the
Spectator help us ?—I am, Sir, &c., LONDONER.
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