ON WATER. 



There are two styles of water to be considered, namely, that which is still, 

 and that which is in motion, or even turbulent. Naturally, water, whether as 

 lake or rill, river or sea, mere or waterfall, forms, in its various characters, an 

 object most beautiful, captivating, and even subhme ; and, certainly, it is an 

 invaluable element in landscape scenery. Let us notice it particularly in the 

 following forms, namely, — The Streamlet, Brook, River, Lake, and Sea. 



The simple, yet cheerful Streamlet, rippling by the side of a rural, shady 

 walk, now concealed beneath some thicket, now breaking again over shelfy 

 stones, has been most poetically described by Doubleday : — 



" Now, moving scarce, with noiseless step, and still ; 

 Anon it seems to weary of its rest, 

 And hurries on, leaping with sparkling zest, 

 Adown the ledges of the broken hill." 



The Brook pleasingly winds its devious way, calmly and smoothly, 

 through rural scenery. 



The River meanders through a beautiful fertile vale, having its margin 

 fringed with sylvan dress, whose waving branches playfully lash its stream ; 

 or forcing its way furiously through rocky channels and abrupt broken ground, 

 (as in the neighbourhood of Bolton Abbey), — each of these is ever to be 

 admired. 



The Lake hes among hills and mountains, and is of various extent, from 

 a mile to many miles ; sometimes screened with wood, at others, decked only 

 with humble shrubs, yet having on its bosom fleecy clouds reflected, and an 

 incessant variation of sun and shade, charms the soul ; while the mighty 

 Sea, with its restless billows, and the stately ships which traverse its waves, is 

 an element in a landscape equally beautiful and sublime. 



