306 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



shower them around upon every scene, as they are scattered 

 by nature in her own wilds. 



The author alUides to the time when rocks were consid- 

 ered as so many deformities of a landscape. But the painter 

 taught men, by his use of them on canvas, that they gave 

 life and sublimity to a scene that was otherwise monotonous 

 and bald. In allusion to the saxatile plants, he exclaims, 



" Are there not curling shrubs that gently creep 

 To hang their tresses on the naked steep ? 

 How close they cling ! how gradual they glide ! 

 I love their verdure on its sunburnt side ; 

 I love the little root that dares to blow 

 Upon its worn and weather-beaten brow. 

 And haply, too, the opening rocks between, 

 1 find a small recess ; delicious scene ! 

 For soon, I ween, it answers to my care, 

 And every fruit and every flower is there. 

 Variety how rich ! Dark, dreary glooms 

 Above ; below the secret valley blooms." 



" Ye rocks, unlock your subterranean cells ; 

 Ye rivers, brooks, fair lakes, and limpid wells, 

 Give life, give verdure, as along you stray ; 

 No other beauties could your loss repay." 



While treating of rocks, the author is naturally led to con- 

 sider the subject of water, which commonly abounds in rocky 

 scenery. He considers water as of chief importance in giv- 

 ing animation to a scene in nature, — still water by its brilliant 

 sheen, and running water by its sound and motion. He 

 recommends to guide the rude mountain streams among the 

 rocks and over the pebbles, so as to give every possible vari- 

 ety to the landscape, by means of waterfalls and rippling 

 fountains ; and he mentions the frequency of streams as one 

 important means of attracting the singing birds. With these 

 appurtenances, 



" Gales o'er the lawn a fresher odor fling. 

 And falling fountains wake the birds to sing ; 

 The waving woods their dewy branches bow, 

 And, with soft showers embalmed, the flowrets blow." 



He speaks with feeling of the power of running water to 

 soothe the mind when the spirits ^re depressed, not only by 



