86 



the consideration of improvers : when the 

 water is raised to the level of the general 

 surface, you can only vary the banks by 

 raising that surface ; but when the water is 

 less high, you can vary the banks by low*- 

 ering, as well as by raising them. 



Islands in artificial water, have in many 

 instances been so shaped, and so placed, 

 as to throw a ridicule on the use of them : 

 but if we once allowed ourselves to argue 

 from abuse, they would not be the only 

 imitations of natural objects that ought to 

 be condemned. That islands are often 

 beautiful in natural scenery, and in a high 

 degree productive of variety and intricacy, 

 cannot be doubted ; and if it be true, that 

 those parts of seas and large lakes where 

 there are most islands (such as the entrance 

 of Lake Superior* or the Archipelago) are 



* As the islands in Lake Superior are not as yet so cele- 

 brated as those in the Archipelago, 1 will quote a passage 

 concerning them from Morse's American Geography, 

 ■which, at fhe same time that it presents a beautiful picture, 

 shews, likewise, how generally those circumstances on 

 which I have dwelt, are admired. (< The entrance into 

 ** this lake from the Straits of St. Mary, affords one of the 



