196 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



than the ridges of earth commonly employed for this 

 purpose. To these might be added the rocky barrier 

 and rugged outlet of a mountain lake ; but as being 

 at once extremely difficult to execute, and often in 

 questionable taste, we do not venture to recommend 

 them. It is a good principle, however, to look earn- 

 estly at nature when we are imitating its works. The 

 outline of the head toward the lake, admits of some 

 variety of configuration. Where the broad platform 

 is adopted, its edge may be in part a straight line, 

 with curves toward the water at the ends ; or, when 

 the knoll is selected, a promontory may be drawn out 

 into the water, with unequal bays at each side. The 

 surplus water, instead of issuing through a paved 

 overflow or sluice, should rather be conveyed in a 

 winding stream, flowing from a bay at one end of the 

 head ; in this case, the small valley forming the outlet 

 should, if possible, be so excavated as to place the bed 

 of the stream on the solid ground, not on the embank- 

 ment, an arrangement conducive at once to stability 

 and ornament. If a sluice is indispensable, it should 

 be in connection with a culvert. 



When success has been attained in the form and 

 outline of an artificial lake, much still requires to be 

 done in the way of decorative accompaniments. "Wa- 

 ter without wood will be destitute of that living grace 

 which trees and shrubs can alone impart ; and it will 

 want, also, much of that varied reflection of light and 

 shade, and of form and color, which adds so much 

 charm and interest to woodland lakes. Trees, how- 

 ever, are not to be dotted over the banks. They should 

 rather be combined into strong masses, at some places 

 approaching the water's edge, at others receding, and 



