73 



with the great richness of such banks at a 

 considerable distance, and from a number 

 of points ; and liave been surprized on exa- 

 mininjTj tliem, to find how slight a rise of 

 ground, when planted by the hand of na- 

 ture, seemed to elevate, and give conse- 

 quence to that part: I have been quite de- 

 ceived in regard to their depth; have gone 

 round them, and though undeceived as to 

 the reality, still observed with pleasure the 

 same appearance. Such is the effect of 

 these artless plantations the fruits of acci- 

 dent, but Avhich it Avould be the perfection 

 of design to imitate. Art generally op- 

 poses either a uniformly thick, and there- 

 fore a suspected screen, pf one, (which to 

 use Milton's language), is thin with exces- 

 sive thickness,* and through which the 

 ground behind is unpleasantly discovered ; 

 but in these works of accident, the many 

 partial openings and inlets seem to invite 

 the eye, while something still prevents it 

 from penetrating too far into their recesscii, 



* " Dark with excessive bj ight." 



