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WOTTON AND THE VAI,E OF AYI.KSBURY. 



In the composition of this scene, the river, 

 both as a part itself and as uniting the other 

 parts, has a principal share ; but water is not 

 lost, though it be in so confined or so concealed 

 a spot as to enter into no view ; it may render 

 that spot delightful ; it is capable of the most 

 exquisite beauty in its form ; and, though not 

 in space, may yet in disposition have preten- 

 sions to greatness ; for it may be divided into 

 several branches, which will form a cluster of 

 islands all connected together, make the whole 

 place irriguous, and, in the stead of extent, 

 supply a quantity of water. Such a sequestered 

 scene usually owes its retirement to the trees 

 and the thickets with which it abounds ; but 

 in the disposition of them, one distinction 

 should be constantly attended to ; a river flow- 

 ing through a wood, which overspreads one 

 continued surface of ground, and a river be- 

 tween two woods, are in very different circum- 

 stances. In the latter case, the woods are 

 separate ; they may be contracted in their 

 forms and their characters, and the outline of 

 each should be forcibly marked. In the former, 

 no outline ought to be discernible, for the river 

 passes between trees, not between boundaries ; 

 and though in the progress of its course the 

 style of the plantations may be often changed, 



