THE DESECRATION OF ENGLAND
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—May I follow up the letter of Mr. Philip Trotter, who draws attention to the existence of the Londoners' League in last week's issue, in order to draw his and their notice to the imminent disappearance of yet another of London's (and England's) irreplaceable treasures ?
The demolition of Kingston House, Prince's Gate (through which the owners have had a traditional right of access to Hyde Park) is, I hear, to begin immediately. Much has been written of this house, from Horace Walpole's curious descrip- tions of the rabbit-Warren of attics, still to be seen in its roof, where, he says, Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston, who built the house, used to provide side-shows for the elite of Europe who came to the balls, banquets and receptions which she gave in the spacious rooms and great glass Vinery which occupy, with a continuous vista, the second floor, down to
references in the modern Press. But there has been little reference to the unique garden which hides like a miniature forest-glade within a few yards of the traffic pouring out of Piccadilly towards the Great West Road. Among the magnificent trees preserved here are " the biggest Plane tree in London," and two ancient Mulberries (now getting so rare) which must be among the oldest in England. Standing by itself in the middle of the garden is a large tree of striking appearance which is said to be rare, but of which I am unable to give the name. All this is to be demolished at the instigation of England's Public Enemies No. I.—Yours faithfully,
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