100 



should place weeping trees in such situations — I have only named them for 

 the sake of example. So with a striking ohject hke a jet or fountain, if placed 

 on one side of a sheet of water, the whole of which was at once commanded 

 hy the eye, it would no douht appear inharmonious, unless another were placed 

 on the contrary side, that the effect might be equalized. It is the same with 

 every remarkable object; all require similar adjustment in order to produce 

 balance. In a large lake, if the middle is too far distant for a jet or groups 

 of jets there placed to be advantageously seen, it may be proper to choose as 

 its site the midst of a deep bay, which might be formed into a sort of com- 

 partment by grouping three or more islands, (as background to the fountain), 

 partly planted and naturally arranged, so as not to make it entirely a distinct 

 compartment, or pool of itself, but still appear a portion of the large pool. A 

 few yards space between the islands would prevent any such appearance, and 

 the rocky groups composing the fountain would occupy (seemingly, at least.) 

 the centre of the pool. A pleasing effect would be produced if the jet were 

 placed to suit the point from where it is to be principally viewed. 



Jets, as we usually see them, never seem to me calculated to produce 

 general sohd interest. They may astonish the citizen, or others who see them 

 for the first time, and who are not in the secret of their action ; but, I appre- 

 hend, they seldom afford general gratification, and yet we find them in places 

 where we ought to expect better examples. We often observe miserable 

 attempts made by introducing into a formal pool, or sheet of water, a simple 

 lead pipe, and allowing it to appear just above the surface, throwing up a 

 column of water to a prodigious height, but of too little substance to bear the 

 necessary atmospheric pressure, and yet rise perpendicularly, or to support its 

 great height without being dispersed into mist. 



If there must needs be a jet in formal polished scenery, it ought to issue 

 from an ornamental column in the midst of a basin of water, bordered with 

 corresponding architectural masonry, sufficiently massive and extensive to 

 correspond with the body of water, and to encompass the whole in its fall, so 

 as to prevent wetting the ground about. The water should be allowed to rise 

 only so high as to be kept within its compass, shewing a sohd column ; and 

 instead of mist, to fall in silvery bubbles. A group of jets issuing from an 

 assemblage of various figures of rich design, in a corresponding basin, would 

 be in character, and still more pleasing. 



