No. 215 - THE PENNY MAGAZINE - Aug. 8, 1835

ADMISSION OF THE PUBLIC TO PRIVATE GARDENS, &c.

THE following observations are extracted from a sensible little work lately published, called 'Dates and Distances.' They relate to one of the most important subject--important to the high and the low. The facts which the writer states are valuable for this reason: he shows that in Germany no cause of discontent exists between the upper and the lower classes; that mutual concessions produce mutual good will and mutual content and happiness. We do not agree with the writer in supposing that a similar state may not be attained in this country; and he who points out the means by which such an end may be gained will do good service to the community.

"According to the kind and laudable practice observed almost universally by the German nobility, which I have before noticed, Prince Clary, who is the great proprietor of the vicinity (Toplitz), allows everybody access to his beautiful garden, which immediately adjoins the town. This privilege seems never to be exceeded, nor does it appear that any precautions are taken against its abuse. One ranges through the grounds without being spied at by gardeners or guardians; the indulgence is freely granted, and enjoyed with a freedom which is never disgraced by mischief. Prince Schwartzenberg permits all decently-dressed individuals to enter the gardens of his private residence at Vienna, and nobody thinks of plucking a single flower of the thousands which embellish the parterres. It would not be possible to establish this state of things in England: the rich would never tolerate such in intrusion on their privacy, and the public would soon arrogate to itself rights inconsistent with the rules of sufferance. People in Germany, however, are content to enjoy an indulgence as a concession, and deem it no humiliation to be obliged to their superiors. Indeed, there, obligations are conferred so much as a matter of course, that they are hardly perceived to be such. It is their habits, combined with the more even dissemination of riches, which create so much harmony among all ranks of society on the Continent, especially in Germany, and render the inferior classes so attached to those above them. The few who have immense wealth contrive to conciliate the great body of the people, by making them partakers of their luxuries, by opening to them their parks, gardens, and palaces, and by giving public fetes and entertainments.