10 



tionate causes. As, for example, when 

 the crater of a volcano sinks down ; when 

 a chasm remains after an earthquake ; or 

 when part of a mountain, falling across the 

 bed of a river, creates a natural dam : 

 one instance of which I heard from a per- 

 son, who had been an eye-witness of the 

 progressive effect, soon after the tremen- 

 dous cause had taken place. This might 

 without impropriety be called the creation 

 of a lake: for the only way in which the 

 nature we are acquainted with does create 

 them, is by some such accident as I have* 

 mentioned. 



Artificial pieces of water must be formed 

 by means of a head, of digging, or of both. 

 The most beautiful, whatever be their size, 

 will of course be those where digging 

 is unnecessary, where the surrounding 

 ground is of a varied character, and is in- 

 dented with bays and inlets variously ac- 

 companied. If such a basin be ready to 

 receive an artificial lake, the improver has 

 little difficulty about the form of his banks; 

 for the water, by insinuating itself into 



