A spectacular panorama of Regent’s Park

A rolling prospect recording the opulent residences on the perimeter of Regent's Park before the general public were allowed admittance to the park. It shows the original intention of keeping the north undeveloped (preserving the views of Primrose Hill, Hampstead & Highgate), the Nash Terraces and the London Colosseum (at the time housing the largest painting ever created, a 40,000 square-foot panorama of London), with an aviary to the left. Although the Zoological Society of London's gardens (now London Zoo) had already opened, they are not depicted as they lay inside the circuit. In the foreground are little vignettes of life, including an organ-grinder with trained dogs, stilt walkers, a puppet show, laundry carts and William IV and Queen Adelaide in their carriage. The cover illustration shows Portland Place looking north across the park to Hampstead. Little is known about Richard Morris other than his professions of plantsman and surveyor. He published: 'The Botanist's Manual', 1824; 'Essays in Landscape Gardening', 1825; and 'Flora Conspicua' in 1826.