51 



beauties, if he thereby could obtain such 

 scenes (considered merely in respect to 

 their immediate banks) as we are often- 

 times delighted with in natural lakes and 

 rivers. It happens, however, very fortu- 

 nately, that many of those circumstances 

 which render them so beautiful in them- 

 selves, serve likewise to unite them with 

 the rest of the scenery, and to give greater 

 effect and variety to the more distant parts. 

 Bare shaven banks form distinct lines, 

 which every where mark the exact separa- 

 tion of the two elements : but partial con- 

 cealments are no less the sources of connec- 

 tion, than of variety, effect, and intricacy; 

 for by their means the water and the land, 

 the nearer and the more distant parts, are 

 blended and united with each other. 



The effects of water are always so attrac- 

 tive, that wherever there is any appearance 

 of it in a landscape, whether real or painted, 

 to that part the eye is irresistibly carried, 

 and to that it always returns. All the ob* 

 jects immediately round it are consequently 

 most examined : where they are ugly or 



e 2 



