ON CHINESE GARDENS. 157 



they never give more fall at the most than half an inch to every 

 foot, to prevent them being damaged by the current of the rain- 

 waters. 



As China, even in the northern provinces, is exceedingly hot 

 during summer, much water is employed in their Gardens. In 

 the small ones, where the situation admits, they frequently lay the 

 greatest part of the ground under water, leaving only some islands 

 and rocks; and in their large compositions, every valley has its 

 brook or rivulet, winding round the feet of the hills, and discharging 

 themselves into larger rivers and lakes. Their artists assert, 

 that no Garden, particularly if it be extensive, can be perfect, 

 without that element, distributed in many shapes : saying, that it 

 is refreshing and grateful to the sense, in the seasons when rural 

 scenes are most frequented ; that it is a principal source of variety 

 from the diversity of forms and changes of which it is susceptible ; 

 and from the different manners in which it may be combined with 

 other objects ; that its impressions are numerous, and uncommonly 

 forcible ; and that, by various modifications, it enables the artist 

 to strengthen the character of every composition ; to encrease the 

 tranquillity of the quiet scene ; to give gloom to the melancholy, 

 gaiety to the pleasing, sublimity to the great, and horror to the 

 terrible. 



They observe, that the different aquatic sports of rowing, sailing 

 swimming, fishing, hunting and combating, are an inexhaustible, 

 fund of amusement ; that the birds and fishes, inhabitants of the 

 water, are highly entertaining, especially to naturalists ; and that 

 the boats or vessels which appear upon its bosom, sometimes 

 furiously impelled by tempests, at others gently gliding over the 

 smooth surface, form, by their combinations, a thousand momen- 

 tary varied pictures that animate and embellish every prospect. 

 They compare a clear lake, in a calm sunny day, to a rich piece of 

 painting, upon which the circumambient'objects are represented 

 in the highest perfection : and say, it is like an aperture in the 

 world, through which you see another world, another sun, and 

 other skies. 



They also remark, that the beauty of vegetable nature depends, 

 in a great degree, upon an abundant supply of water ; which, at 

 the same time that it produces variety and contrast in the scenery, 

 enrichos the verdure of the lawns, and gives health and vigor to 

 the plantations. 



