Towns > Helensburgh > 1875 - Battrum's guide and directory to Helensburgh and neighbourhood

HELENSBURGH GUIDE. 21
with a park instead of a shade ; let there be no cooling foun-
tain refreshing to the sense anywhere ; and if, overpowered
by heat and dust, and anxiously longing for a plunge in the
clear inviting waters of the bay, the visitors should seek this
solace, keep him back from, it by denying him every facility
for such a pleasure. This is precisely the result of the
erroneous Scotch theory regarding the character of a water-
ing-place. With such an acreage of broad street, which can
at best be but indifferently kept, what was to prevent part
of it being planted with rows of tall trees, with sufficient
seats near them, which would have formed a pleasant summer
haunt to invalids and loungers; beneath whose shade
children could play in safety, and the pent-up stranger,
avoiding the glare and the heat of the dusty road, have ob=>
tained refreshing shelter and recreation 1 What was to
prevent the erection of a few fountains here and there in
public places, where the thirsty might drink, and at least the
dull monotony of road and square be enlivened and made
picturesque]* What was to prevent the adorning of the
public park with some kind of shade, which would tempt
stragglers, loiterers, and readers into its precincts? What
was to prevent the providing of bathing accommodation,
such as abounds at almost every other sea-coast village of any
note 1 What is to prevent all this being done now? Nothing
but a wholly mistaken idea of what a watering-place should
be, and of what is necessary to secure its permanent popu-
larity, by securing the comfort and adding to the out-door
recreations and pleasures of those who frequent it. These
are matters, however, which are beginning to impress them-
* This want is now being removed by the erection of public wella
in various places supplied by the Mains-Hill water.