Hyde Park, or the Park as it is generally called, to indicate its superior celebrity as compared with any of the other parks in London, is a place of which every one has heard, and which every one who visits the metropolis makes a point of seeing. And yet, notwithstanding the attractiveness of this locality, there are few persons who have any knowledge of its history. In my researches into scarce works of an antiquated date, with the view of acquiring information respecting the former history of particular parts of the metropolis, I have often had to complain of having laboured in vain o but in no instance have I experienced so much difficulty in my endeavours to ascertain the history of any institution, building, or locality, as I have done in my inquiries into the circumstances under which Hyde Park came to be what it now is.

The earliest authentic particulars I have been able to obtain regarding this interesting locality, represent it as having been seized among the crown lands soon after the death of Charles I. It was one of the few royal demesnes which were excepted from sale by a legislative ordinance issued in 1649. In three years afterwards, it was determined on by the government of that period, that Hyde Park, with some other lands belonging to the crown, should be sold for ready money. To what special purpose the purchase money was to be applied, I have not been able to learn. Immediately prior to the sale, which took place in 1652, a survey of the Park was made, and the admeasurement was given at 620 acres.