80 



But in making alterations in water-courses, or in forming lakes or ponds, 

 we must ever remember the true character which they ought to assume. A 

 streamlet, for instance, may be improved in rude and wild situations by clearing 

 away wild indigenous plants in proper places, so as to let the eye now and then 

 catch a glimpse of it as it ripples over collections of roots and stones, &c. 

 Sometimes a slight natural fall may be improved by raising it judiciously 

 with stones, and sinking the course below, so that the depth of the fall may 

 be increased, and the course made broader here and there, especially above 

 and below where a bridge is to be carried over (in order to show a cause for a 

 bridge) ; keeping, however, to natural and varied outlines, the water not too 

 deep nor too wide, lest it should lose the character of a rill, and become a 

 brook, which it would do if it were more than five or six feet in breadth, 

 and densely deep. In thus interfering with the natural course of a streamlet, 

 care should be taken to vary its course by bends and planting, so that the eye 

 may not be able to see from the bridge narrow parts, and those which are 

 barely covered with water, as such would give an idea of the bridge being 

 useless. 



A Rill may also be usefully and with very good effect taken through 

 grounds of a more polished character. In such cases I should make deep 

 and natural bends, varying its breadth ; at the same time the margin should 

 be kept neat, so as to be in harmony with the lawn, and the bottom of the 

 rill should be covered with white pebbles, to give a cleanliness and cheer- 

 fulness to it. The deepest part of the water should not be more than ten or 

 twelve inches. "When a rill of this kind can be made to ripple cheerfully 

 along, and at times glide silently through a flower garden, it may become 

 available for the growth of interesting aquatic plants. Further interest may 

 be afforded by introducing fancy fish into the water ; but in this case small 

 covered retreats will have to be formed in the deepest parts under the 

 margin, to afford them shelter. 



The Rivulet, or Brook, being a more extensive stream of water than a 

 rill, and being sometimes rapid in its course, can scarcely be said to be in 

 character in the flower garden or highly kept grounds ; but it may often be 

 made highly interesting, especially in cases where perpendicular precipices 

 present themselves of materials adapted to form a cascade, or fall, and where 

 the brook can be conveniently turned over it. Where the ground is steep, 



