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there certainly are such rivers, but I never 

 heard of their being admired, or frequented 

 for their beauty. It is possible also, that 

 there may be found some lake or meer, 

 with a uniform grassy edge all round it : 

 I can only say, that such an instance of 

 complete natural monotony, though it may 

 be admired for its rarity, cannot be a pro- 

 per object of imitation. But if an im- 

 prover happens to be placed in a level 

 country, should he not even there consult 

 the genius loci ? without doubt, and there- 

 fore he will not attempt hanging rocks and 

 precipices; but he may surely be allowed 

 to steal from the better genius of some 

 other scene, a few circumstances of beauty 

 and variety that will not be incompatible 

 with his own. By such methods, many 

 pleasing effects may be given to an arti- 

 ficial river even in a dead flat ; but where 

 there is any natural variety in the ground, 

 with a tendency to wood and other vege- 

 tation, nothing but art systematically ab- 

 surd, and diligently employed in counter* 



