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PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. 



BOOK I. 



and trees may be used for the last purposes upon a larger 

 scale. Plants, grasses, and low growths give intricacy and 

 shade to small breaks, and the interstices among stones, &c. 

 Shrubs and trees give intricacy to large recesses, either of sim- 

 ple margin, or containing these lesser enrichments, which, 

 shaded by trees, will be heightened in effect. All this we see 

 accomplished in nature in such a beautiful manner as passes 

 all description : it may be admired by persons of feeling alone, 

 without much judgment, or knowledge of the principles by 

 which it pleases or produces the effect mentioned ; but this 

 kind of knowledge and judgment is highly useful in directing 

 what to copy from nature, and how to apply it to artificial 

 pieces of water. Without it 3 men may argue either for copy- 

 ing the deformities or singularities of nature*, or for misapply- 

 ing them when copied. There is a difference of character in 

 the margin and accompaniments of a lake, river, and brook, 

 though each is varied or harmonious. Each differs also accord- 

 ing to the style of country or soil which they may pass through. 

 Loch Catherine, Loch Duddingston, Grassmere, Wastwater, 

 and the beautiful lake at Clonyards, are very different lakes ; 



* Thus Mr. Marshall argues for tame monotonous water, from the beautiful lake 

 of Grassmere ; and Mr. Repton would dissuade gentlemen from planting near water, 

 because as the trees must be inclosed with a fence, that fence will be doubled by 

 reflection. Such arguments may please the tasteless or superficial ; but they will 

 arouse very different emotions in the minds of men of feeling and judgment. 



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