79 



is by no means the least instructive part, 

 the process by which such forms and com- 

 • positions are undesignedly produced. The 

 manner in which these, pits are formed, 

 seems to be nearly this. After a certain 

 quantity of gravel has been dug out, and 

 it becomes less plentiful, the workmen 

 very naturally pursue it wherever it ap- 

 pears ; the mere mould being left, or cast 

 aside just as it may suit their convenience ; 

 and as they want the gravel and not the 

 surface, they pick it from under the turf, 

 which by that process is undermined, and 

 falls downwards in different degrees, and 

 in various breaks. Sometimes the turf 

 and the upper mould are taken off in or- 

 der to get at the gravel which lies beneath, 

 and are cast upon the surface of another 

 part, the height of which is consequently 

 raised above the general level ; while in 

 places where roads had been made to 

 carry out the gravel, the ground is propor- 

 tionably low, and the descent gradual. 

 By means of these operations, in which no 

 idea of beauty or picturesque composition 



