THE beauty of its parks is one of the distinguishing features of Stockholm. The Djurgard, or Deer Park, is singularly picturesque, from the abundance of wood and water. The circumference is about 21 miles; the ground is very undulating, and much intersected by fjords. Added to this, the oak and beech trees have attained a magnificent growth, which is really surprising in such a northern clime, where they cannot reckon on more than two months and-a-half of summer.

During this brief period of fine weather, the people lead an out-of-door life, and seem to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The Palace of Rosendel is in the Deer Park, It is an exquisite spot; the gardens are quite open to the public, who may walk round and enjoy the wilderness of flowers that bloom here in great profusion; or they may sit at their ease and admire the beautiful proportions of the celebrated porphyry vase, which is placed in the center of the lawn. The palace, which is furnished with much taste, contains some good modern Swedish pictures. There are numerous villas and ornamental cottages dotted about in the park; but as they are not walled in, or inclosed, they heighten the beauty of the scene by means of the flower and their shrubs, which contrast so well with the rude masses of broken rocks, which here and there encumber the ground.

There is also the Haga Park, another favorite place of resort, in the immediate vicinity of Stockholm. The numerous islands in this park are prettily laid out, and many parts are very rocky and broken, while others present sylvan glades, shaded by superb trees. The park of Carlberg must not be forgotten; it also contains some magnificent trees, especially a fine avenue leading to Drottningottan. The palace in this park, which was formerly a favorite residence of Charles XII, has been transformed into a military college.

There are several royal residences round Stockholm, and among them Drotting-holm should be visited, as it is one of the stateliest of the summer residences of the royalty. The gardens and surrounding are very much in the French style; more artificial than beautiful. The environs of Stookholm are almost inexhaustible in beauty; for, on one side there is the Baltic, with its myriad islands, and on the other side the lovely Malar lake, which has a length of 75 miles, stretching into the heart of the country.