ON WATER. 



153 



CHAP. V. 



ON WATER. THE ACCOMPANIMENTS OF IT. 



Amongst all the beautiful objects of nature, 

 there is none more interesting in itself, or 

 more useful in the various combhiations of 

 landscape, than water : it possesses an univer- 

 sal attraction, and has ever been considered 

 as the highest achievement of the improver's 

 skill. In proportion, however, to the beauty 

 of artificial water, when happily effected, is 

 the difficulty of producing such a result. It 

 will be obvious, that this difficulty will vary 

 accordins to the natural character of the 

 ground to be flooded, as the concealment of 

 the head is the first thing to be attended to. 

 When, therefore, the ground runs in an un- 

 dulating valley, narrowing towards the end, 

 the formation of the head becomes an easy 

 process ; but, where there is no such advan- 

 tage of ground, the operation will require all 

 the talent of the most experienced artist to 

 construct his lakes or rivers so as to resemble 

 those of nature ; which resemblance can alone 

 crown his labours with success. 



