326 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
levelling instrument to the exact height to which the in- 
tended lake will rise, sweep round with his eye upon the 
surrounding sides of the valley, and indicate by placing 
marks there, the precise line to which the water will reach. 
This can easily be done throughout the whole circum- 
ference, by a few changes of position. 
When the outline is ascertained in this way, and marked 
out, the improver can, with the occasional aid of the level- 
ler, easily determine where and how he can make alterations 
and improvements. He will then excavate along the new 
margin, until he makes the water line, (as shown by the in- 
strument,) penetrate to all the various bays, inlets, and curves 
of the proposed lake. In making these irregular variations, 
sometimes bold and striking, at others fainter and less per- 
ceptible, he can be guided, as we have already suggested, by 
no fixed rules, but such as he may deduce from the opera- 
tions of nature on the same materials, or by imbuing his 
mind with the beauty of forms in graceful and refined art. 
In highly polished scenery, elegant curves and graceful 
sweeps should enter into the composition of the outline; 
but in wilder or more picturesque situations, more irregular 
and abrupt variations, will be found most suitable and 
appropriate. 
The intended water outline once fully tra€&& and under- 
stood, the workmen can now proceed to form the banks. 
All this time the improver will keep in mind the supposed 
appearance of the bank of a natural lake stripped of its vege- 
tation, etc., which will greatly assist him in his progress. 
In some places the banks will rise but little from the water, 
at others one or two feet, and at others perhaps three, four, 
or six times as much. This they will do, not in the same 
manner in all portions of the outline, sloping away with a 
