ARTIFICIAL LAKES. 197 



dispersed in irregular groups, as the surface of the 

 ground may suggest. The embankments, when defi- 

 cient in form, should be covered with masses of wood. 

 At the same time, it is injudicious to overload the 

 scene with trees and shrubs. A light and graceful 

 efifect should be aimed at in certain positions, and a 

 depth of shade in others. The pleasure-grounds and 

 woods afibrd more suitable situations for highly orna- 

 mented pieces of water than the pasture-grounds in 

 the park, as the latter are generally too unclothed for 

 this purpose. Islands should not be over-thickly 

 planted, as they commonly are. When the trees are 

 sparse, they are more varied in their form, and fall 

 into better groups. A green bank or piece of level 

 lawn, seen from the neighboring shore, are agreeable 

 features in an island. To lake scenery, a boat-house 

 and pier, and palings running into the water to pre- 

 vent deer and cattle from entering the reserved inclo- 

 sures, and aquatic birds and plants, add a pleasing 

 diversity. 



Note. — The construction of lakes — ponds, as such 

 small bodies of water are less euphoniously called by 

 us — is rather a delicate matter with park builders. 

 Unless the circumstances and features of the adjoin- 

 ing grounds are favorably disposed, their exceedingly 

 artificial look detracts from the effect they should pro- 

 duce. A sheet or stream of water should, of all things, 

 look natural. — Ed. 



To be properly seen, the lake requires to be ap- 

 proached by walks, especially in the pleasure-grounds. 

 It is seldom advisable, however, to carry the walks 

 quite round it. They should rather be directed to the 

 points fi'om which the finest views are seen. In this 



