Esoteric London

Global Approach, London, E3. Photo © Roger Dean 2012

The Queen’s London, A Pictorial and Descriptive Record of the Streets, Buildings, Parks, and Scenery of the Great Metropolis in the 59th year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria – [Anon], 1896:

The Rhododendron Walk, parallel with the Thames, and situated near the north-west corner of the Arboretum, is one of the chief sights at Kew. The variety of colour here displayed – seen at its best, perhaps, in June – is, to those only acquainted with the somewhat stunted shrubs common in private gardens, a revelation of unexpected beauty. In its way, the Rhododendron Walk is as famous as are the avenues of horse-chestnuts in Bushy Park, though it has not attained the dignity of being identified with any particular Sunday. The Arboretum used to be separated from the Botanic Gardens proper by a wire fence; and until a few years ago, to the unscientific male visitor, the chief distinction lay in the fact that in the former smoking was permitted, whereas in the Gardens it was prohibited.

[More passages form The Queen's London, A Pictorial and Descriptive Record of the Streets, Buildings, Parks, and Scenery of the Great Metropolis in the 59th year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria can be found on http://www.victorianlondon.org by clicking here. R.D.]