Little Women question - what is the Row (some kind of destination)?

[Anaamika]

In the book, Little Women, there is this conversation:

How funny!" laughed Grace. “I have a pony at home, and
ride nearly every day in the park with Fred and Kate. It’s very
nice, for my friends go too, and the Row is full of ladies and
gentlemen.”

“Dear, how charming! I hope I shall go abroad some day,
but I’d rather go to Rome than the row,” said Amy, who had
not the remotest idea what the Row was and wouldn’t have asked
for the world.

From here.

Now, I never knew what it was, either, but I have never traveled Europe so I figured I was just a hick like Amy. Upon speaking to someone who has traveled Europe far more extensively than I have, however, it transpired they didn’t know either.

So? Does anyone know what it is?

[SmartAleq]

Probably a reference to Rotten Row. Yes, I have read way too many Regency romances!

[freckafree]

@SmartAleq

Probably a reference to Rotten Row. Yes, I have read way too many Regency romances!

That’s always been what I thought. It makes me think there must be a reference to Rotton Row after Amy goes abroad.

[HazelNutCoffee]

@freckafree

That’s always been what I thought. It makes me think there must be a reference to Rotton Row after Amy goes abroad.

There is - in the letter she writes about being in London (Part 2, Chapter 31).

Rotten Row means `Route de Roi’, or the king’s way, but now it’s more like a riding school than anything else. The horses are splendid, and the men, especially the grooms, ride well, but the women are stiff, and bounce, which isn’t according to our rules. I longed to show them a tearing American gallop, for they trotted solemnly up and down, in their scant habits and high hats, looking like the women in a toy Noah’s Ark. Everyone rides old men, stout ladies, little children and the young folks do a deal of flirting here, I say a pair exchange rose buds, for it’s the thing to wear one in the button-hole, and I thought it rather a nice little idea.

[Anaamika]

Oh, thank you! I admit to skimming a lot of the letters, though I loved the novel - they got long and boring, and the last thing I want to do is read a young girl’s treatise on the world. But thanks - I have always wondered.