GEOMETRICAL FLOWEE-TANK. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



FOUNTAINS, FISHPONDS, & OKNAMENTAL "WATERS. 



218. " Fountains and Sculpture," saj^s Sir Uvedale Price, "are among the 

 most refined of all garden ornaments." When judiciously combined, the 

 efi"ect is most brilliant. It has been objected that fountains are not natural 

 objects ; but we have ah-eady seen that the garden is altogether a thing oJ 



art — 



** That which increases every charm reveal'd 

 Is that the art which wrought it lies conceal' d." 



And the fountain diflFers in no respect from other garden accessaries. But 

 it is only in the long days of summer that fountains add a charm to the scene 

 {Xi our variable climate. It is not, therefore, very surprising that the efforts 

 to establish fountains have not been fortunate either in our gardens or public 

 places. Besides, they are very costly luxuries. A day of the water-works at 

 Versailles, when in full operation, involves a cost of some hundreds of pounds ; 

 and the water to supply the fountains at the Crystal Palace is pumped up 

 by steam-power to the summit of the two lofty towers, whence it descends, 

 producing for a short time a very magnificent display. But it will be easily 

 understood that this is produced at a very considerable cost, and could 



