PART VII. 



PICTURESQUE 



IMPROVEMENT. 



383 



spirited censures of Mr. Knight*. It would be endless indeed 

 to mention the numerous and diverse absurdities either com- 

 mitted upon natural brooks, or realized in artificial pieces of 

 water, in every part of the country. No disinterested person 

 of taste and discernment, who has viewed such scenes, can be 

 insensible of the difference between natural and made pieces of 

 water; and when we reflect that this material is capable of 

 forming the most interesting and enlivening effects in every 

 species of landscape, and yet in so many scenes is at present 

 the most formal and disgusting — the consideration excites the 

 deepest regret. He who can tamely submit to such depraved 



* " Shaved to the brink, our brooks are taught to flow 

 Where no obtruding leaves or branches grow ; 

 While clumps of shrubs bespot each winding vale, 

 Open alike to every gleam and gale ; 

 Each secret haunt, and deep recess display'd, 

 And intricacy banished with its shade. 



" Hence, hence ! thou haggard fiend, however call'd, 

 Thin meagre genius of the bare and bald ; 

 Thy spade and mattock here at length lay down, 

 And follow to the tomb thy favourite Brown : 

 Thy favourite Brown, whose innovating hand 

 First dealt thy curses ojer this fertile land ; 

 First taught the walk in spiral forms to move, 

 And from their haunts the secret Dryads drove ; 

 With clumps bespotted o'er the mountain's side, 

 And bade the stream 'twixt banks close-shaven glide ; 

 Banish' d the thickets of high tow' ring wood, 

 Which hung, reflected, o'er the glassy flood." 



" The Landscape" p. 25, sec. edit. 



