92 The Art of Landscape Gardening 



long to break down the mound of earth by which the 

 water is confined, although we might afterwards regret 

 the loss of its cheerful glitter ; and hence, perhaps, arises 

 that baldness in artificial pools, so disgusting to the 

 painter and yet so pleasing to the less accurate observer. 

 The latter delights in a broad expanse of light on the 

 smooth surface, reflecting a brilliant sky ; the former 

 expects to find that surface ruffled by the winds, or the 

 glare of light in parts obscured by the reflection of trees 

 from the banks of the water; and thus, while the painter 

 requires a picture, the less scientific observer will be 

 satisfied with a mirror. 



During a great part of last century West Wycombe 

 was deemed a garden of such finished beauty that to 

 those who formerly remembered the place it will seem 

 absurd to suggest any improvement. But time will 

 equally extend its changing influence to the works of 

 nature and to those of art, since the planter has to con- 

 tend with a power — 



♦' A hidden power! at once his friend and foe! 

 'T is Vegetation! Gradual to his groves 

 She gives their wished effects, and that displayed, 

 O ! that her power would pause ; but, active still. 

 She swells each stem, prolongs each vagrant bough, 

 And darts, with unremitting vigour bold. 

 From grace to wild luxuriance." Mason. 



Thus, at West Wycombe, those trees and shrubs which 

 were once its greatest ornament, have now so far outgrown 

 their situation that the whole character of the place 

 is altered ; and instead of that gaiety and cheerfulness 

 inspired by flowering shrubs and young trees, gloom 

 and melancholy seem to have reared their standard in the 

 branches of the tallest elms and to shed their influence 

 on every surrounding object : on the house, by lessen- 



