Chapter X 



Islands 



A LONELY spot in a well-wooded island, 

 or the distant view of a mass of arching 

 foliage swimming on the crystal surface of the 

 water, is more attractive to many than all the 

 charms obtainable on dry land. This pleasure 

 also must, therefore, be sought and provided 

 for. 



Islands scattered in a large lake or judiciously 

 arranged in the broad, flowing river are of great 

 assistance and add much to the beauty of the 

 whole by their variety. Here, too, the example 

 of Nature must be very fully studied. It is re- 

 markable how seldom this is the case, and I can 

 hardly remember having seen anywhere an arti- 

 ficial island which did not betray at first glance 

 its forced, unnatural origin. Thus I recently 

 found, even in the small celebrated Royal Gar- 

 dens attached to Buckingham House, which I 

 have highly praised elsewhere, one which repre- 

 sented more the picture of a pudding in its sauce 

 than an island built up by Nature. It is true 

 that Nature sometimes indulges in peculiar freaks, 

 but there is always yV 7ie sais quoi^ which cannot 

 be attained by mere imitation; therefore, it be- 

 comes us to follow her rules, not her exceptions. 



