S54 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



improver should take his stand at that part cf the g.ound 

 where the dam or head is to be formed, and raising his 

 levelhng instrument to the exact height to which the 

 intended lake will rise, sweep round with his eye upon the 

 surrounding sides of the valley, and indicate by placing 

 marks there, the precise line to which the water will reach. 

 This can easily be done throughout the whole circumference 

 by a few changes of position. 



When the outline is ascertained in this way, and marked 

 out, the improver can, with the occasional aid of the leveller, 

 easily determine where and how he can make alterations 

 and improvements. He will then excavate along the new 

 margin, until he makes the water line (as shown by the 

 instrument) penetrate to all the various bays, inlets, and 

 curves of the proposed lake. In making these irregular 

 variations, sometimes bold and striking, at others fainter 

 and less perceptible, he can be guided, as we have already 

 suggested, by no fixed rules, but such as he may deduce 

 from the operations of nature on the same materials, or by 

 imbuing his mind with the beauty of forms in graceful and 

 refined art. In highly polished scenery, elegant curves and 

 graceful sweeps should enter into the composition of the 

 outline ; but in wilder or more picturesque situations, more 

 irregular and abrupt variations will be found most suitable 

 and appropriate. 



The intended water outline once fully traced and under- 

 stood, the workmen can now proceed to form the banks. 

 All this time the improver will keep in mind the supposed 

 appearance of the bank of a natural lake stripped of its 

 vegetation, etc., which will greatly assist him in his progress. 

 In some places the banks will rise but little from the water 

 at others one or two feet, and at others perhaps three, four, 



