162 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



workman is concerned, differs nothing from 

 labours in any other part of improvement : 

 and I conceive it to be the fault of the pro- 

 fessor, if the " smoothly finished banks'" are left 

 to the tread of cattle, to " give them all the 

 " irregularity they require." 



The doubling of the fence by reflection in 

 the water deters Mr. Repton from planting 

 the banks. As reflection is one of the great- 

 est charms of water, this apprehension is ill- 

 timed, when it would expose the broad ample 

 channel to the sky, and leave a naked margin 

 round it. 



In like manner, the artificial lake must be 

 united with the surrounding scenery ; and 

 the wood, which adorns its margin, must be 

 connected, by means of groups of trees of 

 various size and character, with other masses 

 in its neighbourhood, either already existing, 

 or to be planted for this purpose of connec- 

 tion. A sandy or gravelly promontory shoot- 

 ing into the water is very useful in producing 

 a variety of colour, and giving a focus of 

 light. A boat-house, or fishing-cottage, when 

 aptly placed, are, upon the same principle, 

 favourable circumstances on the border of the 

 lake, which, like the bank of the river, will 



