reader may judge of the rich pages which this book contain», 

 even from what he says of water: — "It accommodates itself 

 to every situation; is the most interesting object in a land- 

 scape, and the happiest circumstance in a retired recess; 

 captivates the eye at a distance, invites approach, and is 

 delightful when near; it refreshes an open exposure; it ani- 

 mates a shade; cheers the dreariness of a waste, and enriches 

 the most crowded view; in form, in style, and in extent, may 

 be made equal to the greatest compositions, or adapted to the 

 least ; it may spread in a calm expanse to soothe the tranquil- 

 lity of a peaceful scene; or hurrying along a devious course, 

 add splendour to a gay, and extravagance to a romantic, 

 situation. So various are the characters which water can 

 assume, that there is scarcely an idea in which it may not 

 concur, or an impression which it cannot enforce; a deep 

 stagnated pool, dank and dark with shades which it dimly 

 reflects, befits the seat of melancholy; even a river, if it be 

 sunk between two dismal banks, and dull both in motion and 

 colour, is like a hollow eye which deadens the countenance; 

 and over a sluggard, silent stream, creeping heavily along 

 all together, hangs a gloom, which no art can dissipate, nor 

 even the sunshine disperse. A gently murmuring rill, clear 

 and shallow, just gurgling, just dimpling, imposing silence, 

 suits with solitude, and leads to meditation; a brisker cur- 

 rent, which wantons in little eddies over a bright sandy 

 bottom, or babbles among pebbles, spreads cheerfulness all 

 around; a greater rapidity, and more agitation, to a certain 

 degree are animating; but in excess, instead of wakening, 

 they alarm the senses; the roar and the rage of a torrent, its 

 force, its violence, its impetuosity, tend to inspire terror; 

 that terror, which, whether as cause or effect, is so nearly 

 allied to sublimity."* 



* The reader will be amply gratified by perusing page 158 of the late Sir 

 U. Price's well known Letter to Mr. Repton, as well as Mr. Morris's Obser- 

 vations on Water, as regards Ornamental Scenery; inserted in the Garden- 



