i66 Xanfcscape Hrcbitecture 



proper course, knows what cannot be altogether 

 taught by correct rule. Islands planted down to the 

 water's edge cannot be quite failures, be their shape 

 what it may, and if the spirit of the scene is to be fol- 

 lowed it may be the only alternative. I should never 

 recommend leaving the shores of the island entirely 

 implanted, see i and k, even if it is a very good form, 

 since the bare outline of nature, if I may so express 

 it, is the most difficult of all to imitate. Finally 

 one must confess that with all our endeavours to 

 emulate nature, she yet retains in petto something 

 unattainable, and says to us poor human beings, 

 'Thus far and no farther/" 1 



Prince Puckler in his Tour in England writes: 



"It is necessary to study the forms of water for 

 the details, but the principal thing is never to suffer 

 an expanse of water to be .completely overlooked or 

 seen in its whole extent. It should break on the 

 eye gradually, and if possible lose itself at several 

 points at the same time in order to give full play to 

 the fancy the true art in all landscape gardening." 



The actual construction of an island should be done 

 on solid foundations of earth or stone and good drain- 

 age secured. A rock here and there on the shores, if 

 rocks already exist in the neighbourhood, will give a 

 natural appearance and diversify the effect. Little 

 miniature islands, outside of the main island, even a 



1 Prince Puckler, Hints on Landscape Gardening. 



