'There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet, 

 As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet.'* 

 — The Meeting of the Waters — Moore. 



CHAPTER XVI 



Water Features and Water Flowers 



NOTHING that we may have in a garden is 

 as temperamental as water: nothing will 

 change the whole mood of a composition so 

 definitely as it may be changed by the manner 

 in which this element is handled. It introduces 

 moreover, however it may be handled, a lively 

 interest which accompanies nothing else. But 

 it must be keyed to its surroundings even more 

 thoughtfully than the other elements of the 

 garden, just because it is so vivid and tempera- 

 mental. Wherefore let us examine its two op- 

 posing aspects and analyze them. 



In one it is animated and lively and gay, per- 

 sonifying activity of the highest degree; in the 

 other it is subdued, placid, the very essence of 

 repose, pensive and even melancholy under cer- 

 tain circumstances. Obviously here is a wide 

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