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RURAL ORNAMENTS. 73 



An irregular and winding path, leading down a precipice toward 

 a cavern, having the appearance of antiquity in all the rudeness of 

 decay, will form a striking object of the picturesque ; and if water 

 can be added by natural or artificial means to such a spot, the effect 

 will be considerably heightened. Here wild indigenous aquatic plants 

 may be naturally disposed ; while the trickling of the water and the 

 solemn gloom will conspire to give the scene a touch of the sublime. 

 Grottoes are nearly allied to rock-work ; they are not frequently con- 

 structed in pleasure-grounds in this country: although in some in- 

 stances they may give pleasure from variety, and in some situations 

 afford shelter and shade. The formal arrangement of delicate shells, 

 interspersed with marine productions, however costly or rare, will not 

 be found to accord with modern taste, as decorative to a villa : they 

 belong to the age of incongruity in Landscape Gardening. 



Rustic summer-houses and garden-seats are pleasing and useful 

 objects, particularly in extensive grounds : they serve as places of 

 rest, and act as guides to the best points from which the beauties of 

 the surrounding scenes are viewed to the greatest advantage. There 

 should be no seat but were some pleasing object is in view— 



" There to relish calm delight, 

 Verdant vales, and fountain bright. 

 Trees that nod on sloping hills. 

 Caves that echo tinkling rills." 



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