WATER. 61 



Where the health and comfort of individuals are concerned, 

 expense should not be a consideration in obtaining the object de- 

 sired ; machinery, or an action produced by the wind as on a mill, 

 might be resorted to for raising the water, and its final discharge 

 would depend on situation with respect to neighbouring channels 

 communicating with a river. 



The delightful appearance of water depends particularly on the for- 

 mation of the banks. A serpentine direction is most pleasing : the 

 line of the shore may be broken by bold projections, or by islands, 

 formed as circumstances may require ; but in these ornaments much 

 of their effect will depend on form and position, and they should 

 never appear centrically situated. The trees and shrubs on the 

 banks should be arranged so as to have a light and airy appearance ; 

 any heavy form placed upon water will not accord with the general 

 effect such a scene is calculated to produce. Where a piece of 

 water is upon a small scale, and a fall can be constructed, nothing 

 adds more to the beauty of the scenery. Accidental lights and 

 shades are conducive to the pleasure derived from the view of tran- 

 quil water, independent of its beauteous reflections : as upon an 

 extended lake, where the distance is light and open with occa- 

 sional breaks, and the intermediate parts deep-toned, increasing in 

 depth of shade as they advance, the prospect is rich and de- 

 lightful. 



