PART VII. PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. 393 



nected with the scenery, either by their unsuitable magnitude, 

 or by the loftiness of their arches straddling across a shallow 

 stagnated river*. They want that beautiful simplicity, con- 

 nexion, and picturesque effect, which may be seen in many 

 highway bridges across streams or rivers, and which is pro- 

 duced there by necessity and time. Thus the arches are made 

 low when the banks on each side are tame and level, because 

 otherwise carts and carriages would have greater difficulty in 

 ascending them. The architecture is simple, because in ge- 

 neral the builders were not allowed to incur the expence of 

 ornaments. The plants, ivy bushes, and trees which group 

 with them, have sprung up in the course of time, but may be 

 speedily imitated by art. The broken parapets, piers, or 

 arches, supplied by open railing or a few pales, are the effects 

 of time, or accident, and in some cases are worth imitating 

 in the scenery of a residence. These circumstances might 

 easily be copied in ornamental scenery, and if judiciously ap- 

 plied, will invariably succeed in producing a good effect. — 

 Foot bridges of planks or rude boles and trunks of trees, suit 

 with many scenes. They have frequently been attempted, 

 but seldom with complete success, owing to the tastelessness of 

 the contrivers. 



* As at Wentworth Castle, Keddleston, Duddingston, Sion, and numerous other 

 places. 



3 E 



