12G 



bounds and shortens the view on the east side of the mansion, the fall is 

 seen to commence, and it presents a very pretty and natural appearance for 

 some distance down the steep, till lost to view. It reappears issuing from the 

 end of a narrow aqueduct, which is carried on a common arched wall, over 

 the end of which it glides in a formal strip, apparently almost perpendicularly. 

 Once more it is lost, until seen flowing over a sort of temple or Swiss cot- 

 tage, with an open door-way in the front, which, together with the overflow 

 and the rising jets at its base, becomes almost enveloped in a confusion of 

 foaming water, presenting a singular and (if the mind could be diverted from 

 a sense of inharmonious composition) a not unpleasing effect. Lastly, the 

 whole body of water passes over a considerable flight of architectural steps, 

 at the bottom of which it disappears underground, and gives place to a 

 considerable plain of fine kept lawn. In a line with the end of the fall stand 

 two ornamental vases, one on either side, and there is also an assemblage of 

 gay and brilliant flowering plants on each side, beneath forest trees blended 

 with wild undergrowths of various kinds. 



Now, to my taste, many of these features are objectionable, not because 

 the effect is not in some cases pleasing, but because the associations are 

 not in unison. The arched wall, for example, is too visibly intended for effect, 

 and too devoid of architectural character, to class with the cottage and steps 

 below, and of every thing in harmony with the natural commencement of the 

 fall. Were we to allow the formal steps, they are never sufficiently covered 

 with water to be effective. The abrupt disappearance also of the water under 

 fine kept lawns, the combination of forest trees, wild undergrowths, and 

 brilliant flowers,— art and nature thus bringing together gaiety and sombre- 

 ness, order and wildness, — all this is, in my opinion, opposed to the dictates 

 of good taste. Unquestionably neither artificial masonry nor formality should 

 have shewn itself on the face of a steep so natural, and so suited to produce 

 effect ; neither should forest trees, with wild undergrowths, fine kept lawns, 

 and cultivated flowers, have been thrown together under any circumstances 

 whatever. 



I have before said, that from the commencement to the first break, the 

 appearance of this waterfall is natural and truly beautiful ; and had the same 

 style been carried out through its whole course, the effect would have been 

 admirable. The fall should, I think, have been varied as much as possible ; 



