i r/^^ B R I T I S H A N G L E R. 



SECT. I. 



^e Beauty and Ufefulnefs of Rivers. 



WH A T a delightful Scene,- fays a late 

 Author, is a foft murmuring Stream ! 

 Whether we refledl on the gentle Motion of 

 its Waters, or on the various Benefits and Ad- 

 vantages arifing from it, or ufe our Endea- 

 vours to trace it to its Head i we are charm- 

 ed with its gliding in fuch beautiful Mean- 

 ders : The numberlefs Accommodations it 

 affords us, fill us with the moil grateful 

 Acknowledgments, and our Curiofity is excit- 

 ed, to the lall Degree, by the Obfcuricy of 

 its Original. 



Let us confider it in its gradual Progreffion 

 and Increafe. It is at firfl nothing more than 

 a Vein of Water, iflliing from iome HilJ, 

 upon a Bed of Sand or Clay. The little 

 Stones that are difperfed round about, are 

 fufHcient to interrupt its Current. It turns 

 and winds, and murmurs as it rolls along. 

 At lail it clears its Way, falls in a Torrent 

 down upon the Plains, and fwells, by being 

 united with fome other Streams. It hollows 

 the Ground by the Rapidity of its Fall, and 

 throws up the Earth on each Side of it. It 

 infenfibly forces its way thro' every Thing 

 that obtlrudls its Paflage, and digs a Bed or 

 Channel for itfelf. The Overflowing of the 

 adjacent Ponds, the Snow that melts, and 



trickles 



