290 On Water in Ornamental Scenery. 



curve. A portion of the river thus re-appearing at a distance 

 would be truly interesting ; and this effect might even be pro- 

 duced under some circumstances with a lake as well as a 

 river. The perpendicular and towering bank contributes 

 much to vary the character and forms of the sides of lakes or 

 rivers, opposing the regular sloping bank, or the dead level : 

 these oppositions, so evident in nature, should be studiously 

 observed in artificial scenery, where there is a desire of pro- 

 ducing the picturesque. In productions of this kind, taking- 

 nature for a model, the object to be gained is not merely to 

 bring into an assemblage the variety of forms which nature 

 displays, but so to dispose them that they shall not appear to be 

 the studied production of art. Here may well be taken into 

 consideration the component parts of banks, as well as forms 

 considered as a whole, for on these parts depend much the 

 character and effect produced. No better guide can be offered 

 than the compositions of natural banks : there will be observed 

 the most pleasing harmony and contrast of colours in the 

 various-tinted strata, occasioned by the white chalks, the 

 brown earths, the red gravels, combined with the greensward 

 and variously-tinted foliage ; these blended and appropriately 

 disposed, combine to form not only harmony and beauty, but 

 contribute also towards the picturesque. In the formation of 

 banks to artificial water, added to the variety of colours in the 

 materials employed, we must also observe their forms; these 

 are frequently marked in a most interesting manner in the 

 banks of natural rivers : there portions of the softer stratas are 

 washed away by the stream, leaving projections of stronger 

 substances of rocks or huge stones. Parts being undermined, 

 portions of green turf are thrown down, perhaps resting mid- 

 way, from which sometimes are observable brambles or other 

 bushes, just able to obtain support, and throwing their branches 

 towards the stream below ; all these combine to produce the 

 most lively interest, and in works of art, where picturesque 

 beauty is an object, by observing and imitating these striking- 

 features, as well as other pleasing intricacies with which na- 

 ture abounds, the work may be made to assume a character 

 of natural irregularity, which is rarely viewed in artificial pro- 

 ductions. 



{To be continued.) 



