96 The Art of Landscape Gardening 



interesting than the lively brook rippling over a rocky 

 bed, but when the latter is compared with a narrow 

 stagnant creek, it must have a decided preference ; and 

 as this advantage might easily be obtained in view of 

 the house, I think it ought not to be neglected. 



It may perhaps be objected that to introduce rock 

 scenery in this place would be unnatural ; but if this arti- 

 fice be properly executed, no eye can discover the illu- 

 sion, and it is only by such deceptions that art can 

 imitate the most pleasing works of nature. By the help 

 of such illusion we may see the interesting struggles of 

 the babbhng brook, which soon after 



— ** spreads 

 Into a liquid plain, then stands unmov'd. 

 Pure as the expanse of heaven." 



This idea has been realised in the scenery at Adle- 

 strop, where a small pool, very near the house, was sup- 

 plied by a copious spring of clear water. The cheerful 

 glitter of this little mirror, although on the top of the 

 hill, gave pleasure to those who had never considered 

 how much it lessened the place, by attracting the eye 

 and preventing its range over the lawn and fallingground 

 beyond. This pool has now been removed; a lively 

 stream of water has been led through a flower-garden, 

 where its progress down the hill is occasionally ob- 

 structed by ledges of rocks, and after a variety of inter- 

 esting circumstances it falls into a lake at a considerable 

 distance, but in full view both of the mansion and the 

 parsonage, to each of which it makes a delightful, be- 

 cause a natural, feature in the landscape. 



Few persons have seen the formal cascade atThoresby 

 in front of the house and heard its solemn roar, without 

 wishing to retain a feature which would be one of the 



