290 Hints for the Improvement of 



scene is, in a slight degree, diminished ; but more islands are re- 

 quired, and, as the crowning improvement, a fountain should be 

 placed in the centre with a single jet, which should throw the 

 water up to the height of 50 or 80 feet, as we have suggested 

 (Vol. for 1841, p. 331.). Independently altogether of colour, 

 the circumstance of the surface of this water being some feet 

 above the level of the walk d, from which it is chiefly seen by 

 those who do not go nearer to it, adds greatly to its bad effect. 

 Water should, if possible, always be placed in the lowest or ap- 

 parently lowest ground in the view : but, when this cannot 

 be done, the spectator who is to see the water ought to be on a 

 surface rather above it than under it ; at all events, he ought 

 never, as in the case before us, to be placed on a lower level. 

 This circumstance being taken into consideration, it would be a 

 very desirable Improvement to raise the surface of the walk d, 

 and also all the ground between that walk and the water, to the 

 same level as the surface on which the beds of shrubs and flowers 

 are placed. On the side of the walk next the palace, the slope 

 might either be gradual or comparatively abrupt ; the distance 

 from the palace windows being such as to render it a matter 

 of indifference which mode is adopted. 



The floating islands in the figure are shown much larger 

 than they really are ; and, instead of eight, only three are exe- 

 cuted, and these are not placed to the greatest advantage. The 

 beds containing both the shrubs and herbaceous plants we 

 would surround with 4-inch brick edgings ; as well to keep them 

 distinct and regular, as to raise them a few inches above the 

 general surface. They would always be kept abundantly moist 

 by the high level of the water, which would be an immense ad- 

 vantage to the American shrubs. With respect to the her- 

 baceous plants, they might be supplied by the Royal Botanic 

 Garden at Kew. Both lines of beds, and also the broad gravel 

 walk, might be protected from sheep by a strained wire fence, 

 as indicated in the figure ; or each bed might be enclosed se- 

 parately, and this we have ascertained may be done by means 

 of Mr. Taylor's wire netting (p. 83.), attached to a frame, at a 

 very moderate expense, which will be hereafter exactly stated, 

 as will the estimate for the fountain in the centre, which is 

 kindly preparing for us by Messrs. Easton and Amos. 



A very great improvement to Kensington Gardens is now 

 being made by enclosing a piece of waste ground, hitherto the 

 receptacle of the worst kinds of filth, at the upper end of the so- 

 called Serpentine Biver. This piece of waste ground is repre- 

 sented in Jig. 68. at d, and the use that we propose to make of 

 it is shown mjig. 69. at o, k, I. By means of this addition the 

 termination of the water might be very effectually and pictu- 

 resquely concealed ; and, instead of the hideous cast-iron fountain 



