TREATMENT OF WATER. 295 



tion to the whole character and expression of fine landscape. 

 In architectural, or flower gardens, (of which we shall here- 

 after have occasion to offer some remarks,) where a different 

 and highly artificial arrangement prevails, all these regular 

 forms, with various jets, fountains, etc., may be employed 

 with good taste, and will combine well with the other acces- 

 sories of such places. But in the grounds of a residence in 

 the modern style, nature, if possible, still more purified, as 

 in the great chefs d^ceuvres of art, by an ideal standard, 

 should be the great aim of the Landscape Gardener. And 

 with water especially, only beautiful when allowed to take 

 its own flowing forms and graceful motions, more than with 

 any other of our materials, all appearance of constraint and 

 formality should be avoided. If art be at all manifest, it 

 should discover itself only, as in the exquisitely painted land- 

 scape, in the reproduction of nature in her most elegant devel- 

 opments. Indeed, many of the most celebrated authors who 

 have treated of this subject, appear to agree, that the pro- 

 ductions of the artist in this branch, are most perfect, as they 

 approach most nearly to fac-similes of nature herself: and 

 though art should have formed the whole, its employment 

 must be nowhere discovered by the spectator ; or as Tasso 

 has more elegantly expressed the idea : 



" l'aRTE CHE TUTTO FA, NULLA SI SCOPRE." 



