ON CHINESE GARDENS. 207 



other works of\rt, yet are there many points from which none of 

 them appear; and more than two or three at a time are seldom 

 discovered ; so artfully are they concealed in valleys, behind rocks 

 and mountains, or amongst woods and thickets. 



There are, however, for variety's, sake, inmost of the Chinese 

 Gardens, particular places, consecrated to scenes of an extraneous 

 nature ; from whence all, or the greatest part of the buildings are 

 collected into one view, rising above each other in amphitheatrical 

 order, spreading out to a considerable extent ; and, by their 

 whimsical combinations, exliibitingthe most magnificent confusion 

 imaginable. Their artists knowing how powerfully contrast 

 agitates the human mind, lose no opportunity of practising sudden 

 transitions, or ofdisplaying strong oppositions, as well in the nature 

 of the objects which enter into their composition, as in their 

 modifications. Thus they conduct you from limited prospects to 

 extensive views : from places of horror to scenes of delight ; from 

 lakes and rivers to woods and lawns ; and from the simplest 

 arrangements of nature, to the most complicated productions of 

 art. To dull and gloomy colours, they oppose such as are brilliant; 

 and to light, they oppose darkness : rendering, by these means, 

 their productions not only distinct in the parts, but also uncom- 

 monly striking in their total effect. 



The cascades of the Chinese, which are always introduced, 

 where the ground admits, and where the supply of water is suffici- 

 ent, are sometimes regular, like those of Marli,Frescati andTivoli ; 

 but more frequently they are rude, like the falls of Trolhetta and 

 the Nile. In one place, a whole river is precipitated from the 

 summit of the mountain, into the valleys beneath ; where it foams 

 and whirls amongst the rocks, till it falls down other precipices, 

 and buries itself in the gloom of impenetrable forests ; in another 

 place, the waters burst out with violence from many parts, spouting 

 a great number of cascades, in different directions ; which, through 

 various impediments, at last unite, and form one vast expanse of 

 water. Sometimes the view of the cascade, is in a great measure 

 intercepted by the branches which hang over it; or its passage 

 is obstructed by trees, and heaps of enormous stones, that seem 

 to have been brought down by the fury of the torrent : and 

 frequently rough wooden bridges are thrown from one rock to 

 another, over the steepest parts of the cataract ; narrow winding 

 paths are carried along the edges of the precipices ; and mills and 

 huts are suspended over the waters ; the seeming dangerous situ- 

 ation of which, adds to the horror of the scene. 



