58 



from the meadow towards the water. Would 

 he in such a case have a thought of destroy- 

 ing the risings, of grubbing up the wood, 

 and levelling the ground, in order to pre- 

 serve every where the level of the meadow? 

 ■ — In searching amidst the thick underwood, 

 he might find large roots of trees which 

 projected over the water, supporting the 

 mould above and behind them ; while the 

 water had washed away that below, and 

 formed a deep hollow, beneath : by partially 

 clearing away some of the boughs which 

 concealed these roots, he might give to the 

 recesses below them a still greater appear- 

 ance of depth, and lead the eye towards 

 their dark shadows.* Were he to find any 

 large stones in the banks, or below them 

 near the water edge (and such are not un- 

 frequently to be found even in flat situa- 

 tions,) he would hardly think of inquiring 



* Were there no other objection to Mr. Brown's pieces 

 of made-water, than that they had no deep shadows, that 

 would alone be a sufficient condemnation. I will not trust 

 myself to speak of their effects ; it would lead me too far 

 from the present subject. 



