C 59 ] 



to canals, ctrcular hafonst and cafcades tumblmg down mar-^ 

 ble Jieps, that laji abfurd magnificence of Italian and French 

 villas. The forced élévation of cataraBs was no more, The 

 gentlc Jlream was taught to ferpentize feemingly at its plea» 

 Jure, and where difcontinued by différent levels, its courje 

 appeared to be concealed by thickets properly inter/perfed, and 

 glittered again at a dijiance where it might be fuppofed 

 naturally to arrive. Its borders were fmoothed, but pre^ 

 ferved their waving irregularity» A few trees fcattered 

 hère and there on its edges fprinkled the tame bank that 

 accompanied it mcsanders; and when it difappeared among 

 the hillst fiades defcending from the heights leaned towards 

 its progrefsy and framed the dijîant point of light under 

 which it was loji, as it turned qfide to either hand of the 

 blue horizon. 



Thus deaîing in none but the coîours of nature, and 

 catching its moji favourable features, men faw a new création 

 opening before their eyes. The living landfcape was chajî'- 

 ened or poHfied, not transformed. Freedom was given to 

 the forms of trees -, they extended their branches unrefiriSl' 

 ed, and where any eminent oak, or majier beech h ad efcaped 

 maiming and furvived the forejî, bujh and br amble was re^ 

 moved, and ail its honours were rejîored to diftinguifi and 

 fi: a de the plain. Where the ufiited plumage of a?î ancieni 

 wood extended wide its undulating canopy, and Jiood venC" 

 rable in its darknefs, Kent thinned the fore?noft ranks, and 



left 



