APPENDIX, ^O. IT, 711 



As Mr. Price has written a long chapter in the second volume of the 

 " Essays on the Picturesque," on the subject of forming pieces of water, 

 upon principles directly opposite to those of Mr. Brown or Mr. Repton, 

 it may be expected that the latter will here offer something in defence of 

 his own practice, and that of his predecessor. He shrinks, however, from 

 the full extent of the controversy, apparently sensible that he could not 

 lay down any fixed principles for this part of his practice. He offers only 

 a very few hints, of which the reader shall be enabled to judge by 

 quotations. 



Ci The observations in the preceding chapter, concerning the reflection 

 of sky on the surface of water*, will account for that brilliant and cheerful 

 effect produced by a small pool, frequently placed near the house, although 

 in direct violat ion of nature ; for since the ground ought to slope, and ge- 

 nerally does slope, from a house, the water very near it must be on the 

 side of a hill, and of course artificial. Although I have never proposed a 

 piece of water to be made in such a situation, I have frequently advised 

 that small pools so unnaturally placed should be retained, in compliance 

 with that general satisfaction which the eye derives from the glitter of 

 water, however absurd its situation. It requires a degree of refinement in 

 taste bordering on fastidiousness, to remove what is cheerful and pleasing to 

 the eye, merely because it cannot be accounted for by the common laws of 

 nature ; I was not sorry, however, to discover some plea for my compliance, 

 by considering, that although water on a hill is generally deemed unnatu- 

 ral, yet all rivers derive their sources from hills, and the highest mountains 

 are known to have lakes or pools of water near their summits." — In this 



* " In artificial rivers, the quiet surface doubles every object on its shores ; and for 

 this reason, I have frequently found that the surface could be increased in appearance by 

 sloping its banks; not only that which actually concealed part of the water, but also the 

 opposite bank ; because it increased the quantity of sky reflected on the surface." This 

 is illustrated by a drawing ! ! Besides the bad taste displayed in this passage, it shews that 

 the author's object in forming pieces of water is just, the same as Mr. Brown's ; that is, to 

 display quantity, not character. 



