JAN.] FLOWER-GARDEN. 55 



Likewise in some parts are exhibited artificial rock-work, conti- 

 guous to some grotto, fountain, rural piece of water, Sec. and plant- 

 ed with a variety of saxatile plants, or such as grow naturally on 

 rocks and mountains. 



Ornamental bridges over artificial rivers, or any rural piece of 

 water in some magnificent opening, so as to admit of a prospect 

 thereof, at some distance from the habitation, have charming effects. 



Let it be particularly remarked, that, although water when exhi- 

 bited with due taste and handsome design, adds considerably to the 

 beauty of pleasure-grounds ; yet, in districts subject to fluxes, inter- 

 mittent fevers, or other diseases, occasioned by the effluvia arising 

 from marshes and stagnant water, it ought to be cautiously intro- 

 duced ; a due regard to health will of course prevent its introduc- 

 tion, especially in large sheets, where likely to become stagnant. 

 In fact, when such are admitted, they should always be situated in a 

 clay or gravelly soil, and possess a sufficient head or stream, to ren- 

 der the change of their contents frequent. 



A Foss or ha-ha, is often formed at the termination of a spacious 

 lawn, grand walk, avenue, or other principal part or parts of the 

 pleasure ground, both to extend the prospect into the adjacent 

 fields and country, and give these particular parts of the ground an 

 air of larger extent than they really have ; as at a distance nothing of 

 this kind of fence is seen, so that the adjacent fields, plantations, 

 &c. appear to be connected with, or but a continuation of the plea- 

 sure ground. 



A Foss or ha-ha, is a sunk fence, ditch -like, five or six feet deep, 

 and ten, twenty, or more wide ; and is made in different ways ac- 

 cording to the nature of the ground. One sort is formed with a 

 nearly upright side next the pleasure ground, five, six, or seven feet 

 deep, faced with a wall of brick, or stone, or strong post and plank- 

 ing? &c the other side is made sloping outward gradually from the 



bottom of said wall, till it terminates as near a level as possible. 



Another kind of foss is formed with both sides sloping, and in per- 

 pendicular depth from four to five or six feet, having a fence near 

 that height arranged along the bottom, formed of strong paring, or 

 any kind of palisado-work ; the sides may be sloped gradually from 

 the bottom to ten or twenty feet width, or more at top, but sloped 

 more to the field side than to the other. 



It being absolutely necessary to have the whole of the pleasure 

 ground surrounded with a good fence of some kind, as a defence 

 against cattle, &cc. a foss being a kind of concealed fence, will an- 

 swer that purpose where it can conveniently be made, without in- 

 terrupting the view of such neighbouring parts as are beautified by 

 art or nature, and at the same time affect an appearance that these 

 are only a continuation of the pleasure-ground, Over the foss in 

 various parts may be made Chinese and other curious and fanciful 

 bridges, which will have a romantic and pleasing effect. 



Of Ancient Designs. 



Designs, in ancient gardening, for a Pleasure-ground, consulted 

 uniformity in every part, exact levels, straight lines, parallels, 



