154 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



In forming a piece of water, the first con- 

 sideration will be, the character it should 

 assume: whether of river, pool, or lake. This 

 consideration will be influenced by the size 

 and character of the place, the shape of the 

 ground, and the attendant circumstances of 

 trees, &c. It may be well to remember that 

 beauty, not quantity, is the object to be kept 

 in view. 



In water, as in a plantation, the outline 

 is of the utmost moment ; and the same ob- 

 servation will apply to both, viz. that the 

 excellence of the form will depend upon the 

 boldness of its indentations, not upon the 

 frequency of their occurrence. These indent- 

 ations should be formed with immediate re- 

 ference to the house, if the water be seen 

 from it ; and care should be taken, that the 

 remote bank or shore be not parallel with 

 the house, as any depth of bay so situated 

 will appear little better than a straight line, 

 especially if the house does not occupy an 

 elevated situation. 



In staking out a piece of water, of whatever 

 character, attention should be paid to the 

 improvement of any variety of surface that 

 may exist, as such hints will generally suggest 



