134 



CHAPTER VIII. 



WATEE. 



Artificial Lakes ; Islands; the Head, or Artificial Embanbnent ; 

 Decorative Accompaniments. — ^Artificial Eivers. — Jet Foun- 

 tains. — Jets d'Eau. — Propriety of Introducing Water. 



Of all the varied materials in the composition of natiiral 

 scenery, there is none that produces more beauty, variety, 

 and interest than water ; nor is there any that enters 

 into so many pleasing combinations with surrounding 

 objects. This felicity in adjusting itself to the beautiful 

 in nature aivakens a strong desire for the introduction 

 of so pleasing an element into the more artificial arrange - 

 ments of Parks and Pleasure- Grounds. In these it 

 assumes a diversity of forms, such as artificial lakes, 

 ponds, rivers, waterfalls, fountains, and jets d^eau — means 

 of ornament which, when skilfdly executed and kept in 

 their proper places, are always a great acquisition to the 

 grounds into which they are introduced. 



In the formation of an artificial lake, there are two 

 requisites of almost equal importance. The first is an 

 adequate supply of water, without which, indeed, we 

 may make a morass or weedy pool, but not a pleasing 

 sheet of the liquid element. The second, and not infe- 



