312 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



connected with a ramble in the woods ; and some delightful 

 spots derive their principal attractions from their evident adapt- 

 edness to this security from observation. When we are walk- 

 ing either alone or in company, we do not like to be met by 

 others, or to be observed by them. A little sequestered 

 spot, that seems to offer all this desirable shelter from the eyes 

 of the world, is always singularly picturesque. But those 

 are the most eligible retreats in which one might be secluded, 

 and at the same time accommodated with a pleasant and ex- 

 tensive prospect. To be able to look out upon the world 

 from a little nook, while unobserved and not liable to be in- 

 terrupted by others, affords one an experience of the same 

 emotion with which we contemplate the raging of a storm, 

 from a place of comfort and security. 



Water is in a high degree favorable to the attainment of 

 these pleasant advantages. Let two parties be placed in op- 

 posite points, with a small lake intervening, and though full 

 in sight of one another, they still feel secluded. The pleas- 

 antness of their retreat, under these circumstances, is enliv- 

 ened by the sight of the opposite party, who may be amused 

 by observing one another's motions, and at the same time 

 feel secure from intrusion. But if there were only a meadow 

 of equal width to separate them, the secluded character of the 

 situation would be lost ; as the parties are not only in sight 

 of one another, but are liable to be interrupted by a visit from 

 the opposite one. A lake may in this way be the occasion 

 of many of those delightful retreats, attended with advan- 

 tages of prospect which no other combination of scenes could 

 so well afford. The picturesque beauty of many of these 

 situations depends greatly on their apparent adaptedness to 

 this kind of recreation and seclusion. 



A river, especially of moderate width, is in many respects 

 more beautiful than a lake ; and more than any other collec- 

 tion of water suggests the idea of infinity and of continued 

 progression. I never look upon a clear stream of narrow di- 

 mensions, without thinking of the thousand beautiful scenes 

 it must visit, in its blue course through the hills and plains. 

 What a life of perpetual delight must be led by the gentle 



