90 



should proceed much in the same manner 

 as in forming the outUne of the other banks. 

 I should stake out the general shape, not 

 keeping to any regular figure, and then di- 

 rect the labourers to heap up the earth as 

 high as I meant it should be, without le- 

 velling, or shaping it ; making allowance 

 for its sinking, and reserving always the 

 best mould for the top. In the course of 

 heaping up the earth without sloping it, a 

 great deal would fall bej^ond the stakes, 

 and would unav«)idablj give something of 

 that irregularity and play of outline, which 

 we observe in natural islands : the new 

 earth would likewise settle, and fall down 

 in different degrees, and in various places ; 

 from all which accidents, indications how 

 to give greater variety might be taken. If 

 it be allowed that a mixture of the lower 

 growths is as generally useful as I have sup- 

 posed, it must be particularly so in islands, 

 where partial concealment is so principal 

 an object ; and as you can never give such 

 a natural appearance of underwood, and of 

 intricacy, can never so humour the ground, 



