FOUNTAINS 87 



fairly stated. They belong to a class of garden furniture 

 which is in the nature of a luxury, and except on a small 

 scale they are expensive luxuries as well. Therefore, 

 unless we can afford to purchase a really good design, 

 have it carried out in durable materials, and fixed in 

 position by experienced workmen, the fountain is almost 

 certain to turn out a failure and an eyesore. 



In Italy, the home of the fountain, stone or marble 

 is nearly always employed in their construction ; in a 

 country where blue skies and brilliant colour effects reign 

 supreme, there can be no objection to the use of so cold a 

 material. In England, stone is apt to prove somewhat of 

 a failure ; it is dreary and depressing, and either lead or 

 bronze give better effects. Besides, stone is apt to dis- 

 colour in a somewhat unsatisfactory manner, presenting 

 the appearance of mildewed decay, rather than picturesque 

 old age. Lead is a very suitable material, as its discoloura- 

 tion nearly always takes a picturesque form, and when 

 further enriched with a growth of moss and lichens, 

 leaden fountain figures are extremely beautiful. Marble 

 is not to be thought of for outdoor work, even were its 

 cost far less than it is, for the decay, which serves only to 

 increase the charm of other substances, is but a blemish 

 on what should be spotless purity. Cast-iron fountains 

 are generally ugly to a degree, though some of the simpler 

 forms would be better than they are, if their owners would 

 but refrain from painting them with an annual coat of 

 vivid green. An iron fountain surrounded by a clinker- 

 built rockery is not in the best possible taste, yet not only 

 in public gardens and squares, but in private grounds as 

 well, we too often see such an arrangement carried out. 



In quite small gardens, a simple basin of stone — the 

 artificial substitute is both cheap and durable — with a 

 small bronze or leaden figure holding the jet, will prove 

 about the best form which can be adopted. Dolphins, 

 mermaids, and marine monsters generally, savour too 



