

WATER. 



OF all beautiful features in a landscape, none is more attractive than 

 water ; whether seen from afar, or contemplated near ; in the form of a 

 running, dimpled stream, or of a broad expanse reflecting the sky and 

 nearer objects on its placid surface ; when it spreads under the burning 

 sunlight, when it glitters in the cool moonlight, or when it pulses 

 and beats the shore, under a wind that bends the plants and trees 

 on its margin all one way. Its beauty has a fascination of its own. 

 A river has almost a personality in its district. When our steps 

 wander, they soon tend to the river or the lake, and on the margin 

 we seem to come near a friend. Wherever it is possible, and is 

 fitting to do so, this means of beauty must be conserved and used 

 by the landscape gardener. 



A stream, or other water feature, has relation to the surrounding 

 land, and its expressive character. A brawling brook, a rushing 

 stream, leaping over a rocky bed, and foaming over rocky barriers, 

 or sweeping between them, does not naturally occur in champaign 

 country, and if artificially created there, is ridiculously unfit, as 

 incongruous as would be any misplaced artistic feature. Water 

 adapts itself to its superficial environment, and expresses its beauty 

 with infinity of conditions. In utilising them, we should imitate the 

 spirit of beauty in Nature's operations, but not distort her effects. 

 The placid lake that may be formed on low-lying land, has a beauty 



