On Water in Ornamental Scenery. 



287 



of the landscape. If proofs were required of the value of 

 water in landscape scenery, it would be necessary only to refer 

 to those lovely scenes of nature, where the smooth unrippled 

 lake, reflecting all the harmonious tints surrounding it, adds 

 beauty to the scenery; where the winding river, with its 

 variously formed banks, enlivens the meadow and the valley — 

 where the purling stream or rivulet trickling down its pebbly 

 bed, and breaking the silence, adds solemnity to the wood, — 

 or where the bold impetuous cataract, dashing its waters over 

 huge masses of rock, enriches so much the grandeur of the 

 scene, already stupendous, that it becomes almost terrific. 

 Such scenes as these must be viewed with admiration by all 

 possessed of taste, and must be desirable on the domain of 

 every lover of the beautiful and the picturesque. 



A lake {fig. 76.) is very appropriate and ornamental in 

 some situations, but as it requires extent in width and length, 



a unity of character is necessary in the surrounding scenery, 

 that it may not appear to occupy too much space, nor be un- 

 appropriated ; its boundaries should be much diversified in 

 form, no distinguishable character of outline should be observ- 

 able ; the little intricacies occasioned by outlets and projec- 

 tions will be interesting, and productive of a pleasing effect, 

 which in some places would wear the appearance of continuing 

 where perhaps no water existed, thus producing a justifiable 

 deception. 



A river winding through a valley (Jig. 77.), or on an ex- 

 tended plain, gives a lively interest to the scenery. Where a 

 supply of water affords the opportunity for producing an arti- 

 ficial river, great care is requisite while directing its course, 



