716 PICTURESQUE STYLE OF FLOWER-GARDENS. 



dam. If for raising water, so as to cover 

 a hollow, where there is little or no over- 

 flow expected, then the slope on the under 

 side is generally of earth, 40° or 35°, 

 turfed or planted ; if for a cascade, the 

 slope is regulated by the form or undula- 

 tions, on which the rocks to produce the 

 breaking of the water are to be placed ; 

 and if for a waterfall, a perpendicular 

 wall is substituted, over which the water 

 projects itself in a sheet or lamina, in 

 breadth proportioned to the current. In 

 all these cases, instead of forming the dam 

 entirely of materials impervious to water, 

 it is sufficient if a vertical stratum of 

 wrought clay be brought up its centre, 

 and the surface of the bank rendered firm, 

 by a coating of gravel on the slope next 

 the water. 



"The construction of the waterfall, 

 where avowedly artificial, is nothing more 

 than a strong-built wall across the stream, 

 perfectly level at top, and with a strong, 

 smooth, accurately-fitted, and well-jointed 

 coping. On the perfection of the coping, 

 both as to level and jointing, depends the 

 regular distribution of the thin sheet of 

 water to be projected. Formerly, artifi- 

 cial cascades of this sort were curved in 

 the grooved plan, the concavity pointing 

 down the stream, by which some strength 

 and a better view of the water were sup- 

 posed to be obtained. With respect to 

 strength, this can only hold true, or at 

 least be of consequence, in cases where 

 the upper slope of the dam is very steep, 

 and the force of the current great ; and 

 as to a fuller view, this can only take 

 place when the eye of the spectator is 

 in the focus of the segment. Where a 

 natural waterfall is to be imitated, the 

 upright wall must be built of huge irre- 

 gular blocks; the horizontal lamina of 

 water broken in the same way, by placing 

 fragments of rocks, grouped here and 

 there, so as to throw the whole into 

 parts; and, as nature is never methodical, 

 to form it as if in part a cascade. . 



" In imitating a natural cascade in 

 garden scenery, the horizontal line must 

 be perfect, to prevent waste of water in 

 dry seasons ; and from this to the base 

 of the lower slope the surface must be 

 paved by irregular blocks, observing to 

 group the prominent fragments, and not 

 distribute them irregularly over the 

 surface. 



"The greatest danger in imitating 

 cascades and waterfalls consisting in 

 attempting too much, a very few blocks, 

 disposed with a painter's eye, will effect 

 all that can be in good taste in most 

 garden scenes; and in forming or im- 

 proving them in natural rivers, there 

 will generally be found indications both 

 as to situation and style, especially if the 

 country be uneven, or stony, or rocky. 

 Nothing can be in worse taste than piles 

 of stones and rocks across a river, either 

 natural or artificial, in a tame alluvial 

 meadow. They may be well-chosen frag- 

 ments from suitable materials, and 

 arranged so as to form a cascade or water- 

 fall very beautiful of itself, but whose 

 beauty is really deformity or monstrosity, 

 relatively to the surrounding scenery, or 

 to that whole of which it should form an 

 accordant part." 



We have given this long extract, because 

 it contains in few words almost all that 

 immediately relates to the subject. We 

 may, however, add, that in choosing ma- 

 terials for this purpose, such only ought 

 to be selected as are found in natural cas- 

 cades, and that all artificial material — 

 such as clinkers, vitrified masses of brick, 

 &c. — should be discarded, as being per- 

 fectly unnatural. Several species of 

 mosses will bear being transplanted, and 

 such should be introduced to give the 

 appearance both of age and nature to the 

 work. 



Although a rivulet in itself is not of 

 sufficient importance to become an object 

 very conspicuous, still in sequestered 

 situations it affords such a degree of 

 pleasure, variety, and refreshing coolness, 

 as to render it a desirable adjunct in 

 picturesque scenery. 



" Perhaps," says Morris, " the most 

 striking effect water is capable of pro- 

 ducing is in a cascade or natural water- 

 fall. The mind receives pleasing impres- 

 sions of wonder and delight, when witness- 

 ing the liquid element descending from 

 on high in various sheets, which sparkle 

 with a diamond lustre as they fall, the 

 cloudy spray reflecting the soft and 

 blended colours of the rainbow ; then 

 dashing, with furious irregularity, over 

 bold projections and stupendous rocks. 

 Such a scene as this must be presented 

 principally by nature, but much may be 

 done artificially to add to its grandeur. 



