78, The Formation of Artificial Lakes. 



Only a very iwrrow channel should be exeavuted, just wide enough to 

 permit an undisturbed ingress of the water. Huge stones may be placed 

 at the bottom and sides of this inlet to prevent its widening, as it is quite 

 JDiportant that the locale of admission should be hidden from observation ; 

 to complete this object more effectually, a thicket of sombre evergreen trees 

 should be j^lanted on either side of the passage. The hemlock spruce is 

 preferable for the purpose. These trees in a few years will depend over 

 the channel and entirely conceal it from view. 



Our space being limited, we are unable to go into the miuutiie of 

 operations ; but to a nian of refined taste, agreeable forms of beauty are 

 suggested by appropriate objects, and to such the details of complete- 

 ness are unnecessary. To those whose conception of the picturesque is 

 limited, our engraving; will give a pretty correct idea of tlie ingredients- 

 which comprise pleasing effect, of both water and land. The design is 

 intended to convey the appearance of a pleasure ground and suburban 

 dwelling in a state of finished picturesqueness — a scene of beauty and 

 polished elegance, with a slight admixture of untamed nature — just 

 such a place as can be formed anywhere that presents a running stream 

 and a slightly undulating surface. The lake in our prepared view has- 

 no high banks, the reverse of which is shown, as the water is almost on 

 a level with the land. The effect, it will readily be perceived, is attained 

 by the judicious arrangement of trees, which are distributed in such a 

 manner as to entirely conceal the flat country beyond. The ground? 

 which the lake covers was naturally low, but has been made deeper 

 where necessary ; and the removed earth has contributed to raise the- 

 surrounding land, not by forming a dyke (as is frequently seen), but 

 removed a suflScient distance to offer a slightly broken surface, and also 

 to give the banks a more natural appearance. The relative position of 

 the lake to the house is such as to lend an uninterrupted view from the 

 latter to an interesting portion of the water and scenery. 



In smaller places, not boasting a plentiful supply of water for scenic- 

 purposes, the use of the hydraulic ram can be introduced. Common sense 

 would dictate the jet d^eau as the preferable and most economical* 

 method of creating beautiful effect. This feature of fountain could supply 

 a pond with its gushing element, which of course would not disclose any 

 stupendous precipices or jutting promontories, but should be arranged- 

 with sinuous outline, and should be the receptacle of fancy varietiesof fish, 

 and could also afford a home for certain flowering aquatics. Overhang- 

 ing trees, and tufts of shrubbery on the bank, will prove promoters of 



