324 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
And, as we have already rejected all regular and geometric 
forms, in scenes were either natural, or picturesque beauty 
is supposed to predominate, we must turn our attention to 
examples for imitation in another direction. 
If, then, the improver will recur to the most beautiful, 
small, natural lake within his reach, he will have a subject 
to study, and an example to copy well worthy of imitation. 
If he examine minutely and carefully such a body of water, 
with all its accompaniments, he will find that it is not only 
delightfully wooded and overshadowed by a variety of vege- 
tation of all heights, from the low sedge that grows on its 
open margin, to the tall tree that bends its branches over its 
limpid wave ; but he will also perceive a striking peculiari- 
ty in its irregular outline . This, he will observe is neither 
round, square, oblong, or any modification of these regular 
figures, but full of bays and projections, sinuosities and 
recesses of various forms and sizes, sometimes bold, and 
reaching a considerable way out into the body of the lake, 
at others, smaller and more varied in shape and connection. 
In the height of the banks, too, he will probably observe 
considerable variety. At some places, the shore will steal 
gently and gradually away from the level of the water, 
while at others it will rise suddenly and abruptly, in banks 
more or less steep, irregular, and rugged. Rocks and stones 
covered with mosses, will here and there jut out from the 
banks, or lie along the margin of the water, and the whole 
scene will be full of interest from the variety, intricacy, and 
beauty of the various parts. If he will accurately note in 
his mind all these varied forms — their separate outlines, the 
way in which they blend into one another, and connect 
themselves together, and the effect which, surrounding the 
water, they produce as a whole, he will have some tolerably 
