604' SckelVs Landscape- Gardetimg. 



small streams have so many tortuous windings, which parti- 

 cularly distinguish them from large rivers. In staking out the 

 broad river, therefore, the landscape-gardener should form the 

 outline in a noble style, with bold and powerful bendings, but 

 not with a too frequent repetition of wavy lines. 



The lines of both sides of the river and the rivulet ought 

 never to be made exactly parallel, and the same form of outline 

 ought never to be repeated ; as Nature, even here, is true to her 

 principles, and these should always be imitated by art. 



If, therefore, the right bank of the stream makes a powerful 

 bend outwardly, the left bank of the stream must make the same 

 inwardly, into the stream itself; but these bends should not 

 always be exactly opposite each other, but more or less above or 

 below, and always varied in form, if you faithfully imitate Nature 

 in these rivers, and wish to have your work considered as part 

 of hers. 



3. Although the low banks of a river or brook have seldom 

 a romantic character, they are much to be preferred in a garden 

 to those that are high and steep ; because they present a greater 

 surface of water to the eye, and are not so liable to have the 

 banks give way, which not only has a terrific appearance, but 

 is extremely dangerous to the passers by. But by high banks 

 we do not mean those which have been formed in the rocks by 

 nature or art, and covered with the most beautiful shrubs. Such 

 banks are of great importance in the rural landscape ; because 

 they give a character of solidity and strength, and form a con- 

 trast to the objects of an opposite character by their impending 

 cliffs and continued variety of shade, and by the very numerous 

 assemblage of forms and colours which they display : therefore, 

 banks of such a character cannot be too often introduced. No 

 bays or outlets ought to be formed in rivers, such as are seen in 

 lakes, as this would give the idea that the stream wished to open 

 to itself a new course, and for this purpose had broken its banks. 



4. Rivers very seldom have any islands, and when this is the 

 case they should never be placed quite in the middle. They are 

 generally of a longish form, and placed somewhat near the side 

 of the river, and they should be rather narrower in form at both 

 ends. 



5. These rivers, brooks, lakes, and ponds must be traced out 

 by the tracing-staff, and as much as possible in imitation of such 

 lines in nature ; and, as the earth must here be dug out, it will 

 not do to have it done at random. When the principal outline 

 has been traced and staked out, attention must be paid to local 

 character, and to natural artistical effect. 



6. There are cases in which imposing streams can be made to 

 appear in a garden with but a small supply of water, and this is 

 done by deception. iSuch artificial productions can only deceive 



