96 



such persons ever existed : it is sufficient 

 if so much as we see bears an exact resem- 

 blance of nature under similar circum- 

 stances. 



In the same manner the magnificent 

 water at Blenheim strikes with wonder 

 and delight, when we neither see its be- 

 ginning nor end. We do not vicM^ it with 

 less pleasure after we are told that it was 

 not originally a natural lake, but that 

 Mr. Brown, stopping the current of a 

 small river, collected this body of water 

 into the splendid shape we admire. 



It has been correctly observed by 

 Mr. Burke, that a " true artist should put 

 " a generous deceit on the spectators, 

 " and effect the noblest designs by easy 

 " methods. Designs that are vast only 

 '' by their dimensions are always the sign 

 " of a common and low imagination. No 

 " work of art can be great, but as it de- 

 /'ceives; to be otherwise is the prero- 

 " gativc of nature only." 



