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the most picturesque, and at the same time 

 the most solemn effect. 



The last finishing charm of a village- 

 scene, as of all others, is water ; and though 

 there is no character of water which will not 

 add an interest to whatever is connected 

 with it, yet a brook seems to be that, which 

 most perfectly accords with the scale and 

 character of a village. In the same de- 

 gree also, the simple construction of a foot- 

 bridge which has been already mentioned, 

 formed by flat stones laid on more massy 

 blocks, agrees with the character of a brook: 

 indeed it generally happens that on a small 

 scale, the rude efforts of inexperienced man 

 have something more attractive, and what 

 is very justly called picturesque, than 

 that which is done by the more regular 

 process of art ; such a bridge, for instance, 

 whether of wood or stone, than one of a 

 small arch. 



Where the country abounds with quar- 

 ries, we often see large flat stones laid 

 upon others for the purpose of washing, in 



