170 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



" thing of that irregularity and play of out- 

 " line which we observe in natural islands ; 

 " the new earth would likewise settle, and 

 66 fall down in different degrees, and in vari- 

 " ous places ; from all which accidents in- 

 w dications how to give greater variety might 

 " be taken. If it be allowed that a mixture 

 " of the lower growths is as generally useful 

 " as I have supposed, it must be particularly 

 " so in islands, where partial concealment 

 " is so principal an object ; and as you can 

 " never give such a natural appearance of 

 " underwood and of intricacy, can never so 

 " humour the ground, so mark its varieties, 

 " especially on a small scale, by planting as 

 " by sowing, — it is most advisable to plant 

 " only what is more immediately necessary, 

 " and to sow seeds and berries of the lower 

 " growths, quite from the lowest growths of 

 " all ; and to encourage fern, and whatever 

 " may give richness and naturalness. In any 

 " part where I wished the boughs to project 

 " considerably over the water, I would raise 

 44 the bank higher than the rest of the ground, 

 " and many times give it the appearance of 

 (i abruptness ; yet, by means of stones and 

 u roots, endeavour both to render it pictur- 



