192 THE VILLA GARDENER. 



286. With a view to beauty, the distinctive properties of water, as contrasted 

 with those of ground are, clearness and brilliancy, the power of mulliplying 

 objects, coolness, and motion. These are the principal properties which con- 

 cern the landscape-gardener; and it is difficult to imagine a situation in which 

 one or other of them may not be exhibited, and turned to excellent account. 

 The following rules refer to this principle : 



1. Clearness in pieces of water is displayed by allowing them chiefly to reflect the sky; 

 and brilliancy, by having the situation somewhat elevated, or otherwise so prominent that 

 the water may catch the rays of the sun, and reflect them directly in the eye of the spectator. 

 This is a kind of beauty not often desirable in landscape ; but it may occasionally be wanted 

 to contrast with others ; and it has this advantage, that it may be introduced in a very 

 limited space, to which it adds great cheerfulness. 



2. The power of multiplying objects by reflection is by far the most valuable property of 

 water, relatively to landscape-gardening. Forms, shades, and colours may thus be doubled ; 

 and the most forcible contrasts may be produced between water surrounded by trees, build- 

 ings, or other objects, and open lawn or pleasure-ground. Hence, it is seldom desirable to 

 form pieces of water without planting trees or shrubs, or both, along its banks. Water, 

 without wood, may display clearness, and convey the idea of coolness ; but it cannot have 

 tliat intricacy, variety, richness, and force of effect, which are produced in greater perfection 

 by the shade, colouring, and forms of trees and shrubs, with the occasional aid of buildings 

 and animated nature, than by any otlier means at the command of the gardener. 



3. Coolness, as a property of water, is actually produced by evaporation ; but its cooling 

 effect in landscape may be considered as depending on the idea of coolness which we asso- 

 ciate with water, and which has been originally derived from experience. Tliis property 

 in water renders it a desirable material for contrasting with gravel, buildings, rocks, or other 

 objects, wliich, with reference to their eifect in landscape, are considered warm. 



4. The motion of water, in the imitation of its more common forms in nature, is displayed 

 in artificial brooks, rills, springs, &c. ; and in the imitation of more extraordinary natural 

 appearances, in artificial cascades, fountains, and jets. As the motion of water may thus be 

 displayed on a very small scale ; the property of motion, and, as already mentioned, that of 

 clearness, are, perhaps, of the most universal use in gardening ; there being scarcely any 

 ground-plot, however small, that will not admit of a fragment of rock, with a drooping 

 fountain, or of a marble basin, or stone vase, of clear water, to reflect the rays of the sun, 

 and tints of the sky. 



287. With a view to picturesque effect, water may he introduced into the 

 grounds of every residence, however limited it may be in extent ; and the 

 effect will depend, not on the magnitude of the piece of water, but on the 

 character or expression which it is made to assume. Hence the following 

 rules : 



1. That, in very small places of even a few perches in extent, a surface of water, of not 

 more than a few square feet, sunk in the ground, and with a gravelly, rocky, or stony mar- 

 gin, by reflecting the objects near it, and the sky, may give an extraordinary interest to 

 the landscape ; the water being kept clear, and perfectly free from mud and decaying 

 objects.— (See j^fir. 100.) 



2. That a brook or streamlet, however small, can never be successfully imitated, unless 

 there be a current of water equal to that which is found in brooks of the same magnitude in 

 a state of nature. 



3. That the character of a brook being briskness, it should never be imitated by art, 

 except where there is not only an abundance of water, but a surface having a considerable 

 slope, in order that the water may run rapidly. 



4. That, where a natural brook passes through a park or pleasure-ground, it may be im- 

 proved in effect by expanding some parts of it into pools ; and by the distribution of gravel, 

 stones, and other rocky materials, along its banks. 



5. That a river, wliich, to- be natural, ought to indicate on its banks the progress and 



