390 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



is highly necessaiy. In pieces of artificial water that are ir- 

 regular in outline, a narrow strait is often purposely made, 

 with the view of introducing a bridge for effect. 



When the stream is large and bold, a handsome architec- 

 tural bridge of stone or timber is by far the most suitable ; 

 especially if the stream is near the house, or if it is crossed 

 on the Approach road to the mansion ; because a character 

 of permanence and solidity is requisite in such cases. But 

 when it is only a winding rivulet or crystal brook, which 

 meanders along beneath the shadow of tufts of clustering fo- 

 liage of the pleasure-ground or park, a rustic bridge may be 



A /^^^\ brought in with the happiest effect. Fig. 



i-r rt=as9Si^'^^i^f ^^ ^'^ ^ rustic bridge erected under our 

 ,^^^^^^^^M direction. The foundation is made by 



[Fig. 65. Rus.ic Bridge.] laying dowu a few large square stones 

 beneath the surface on both sides of the stream to be span- 

 ned ; upon these are stretched two round posts or sleepers 

 with the bark on, about eight or ten inches in diameter. The 

 rustic hand-rail is framed into these two sleepers. The floor 

 of the bridge is made by laying down small posts of equal 

 size, about four or six inches in diameter, crosswise upon the 

 sleepers, and nailing them down securely. The bark is al- 

 lowed to remain on in every piece of wood employed in the 

 construction of this little bridge ; and when the wood is cut 

 at the proper season, (durable kinds being chosen,) such a 

 bridge, well made, will remain in excellent order for many 

 years. 



Rockwork is another kind of decoration sometimes intro- 

 duced in particular portions of the scenery of a residence, j^^. 

 66. When well executed, that is, so as to have a natural 

 and harmonious expression, the effect is highly pleasino-. 

 We have seen, however, in places where a high keeping and 



