TREATMENT OF WATER. 
307 
from one, and seldom from more than two sides. When a 
lake is viewed from above, its contour should be studied 
as a whole; but when it is only seen from one or more 
sides or points, the beauty of the coup d'oeil from those 
positions can often be greatly increased by some trifling 
alterations in arrangement. Apiece of water which is long 
and comparatively narrow, appears extremely different 
in opposite points of view ; if seen lengthwise from either 
extremity, its apparent breadth and extent is much 
increased ; while, if the spectator be placed on one side 
and look across, it will seem narrow and insignificant. 
Now, although the form of an artificial lake of moderate 
size should never be much less in breadth than in length, 
yet the contrary is sometimes unavoidably the case ; and 
being so, we should by all means avail ourselves of those 
well known laws in perspective, which will place them in 
the best possible position, relative to the spectator. 
If the improver desire to render his banks still more 
picturesque, resembling the choicest morceaux of natural 
banks, he should go a step further in arranging his materials 
before he introduces the water, or clothes the margin with 
vegetation. In analysing the finest poitions of natural 
banks, it will be observed that their peculiar characteristics 
often depend on other objects besides the mere ground of 
the surrounding banks, and the trees and verdure with 
which they are clothed. These are, rocks of various size, 
forms, and colors, often projecting out of or holding up the 
bank in various places ; stones sometimes imbedded in the 
soil, sometimes lying loosely along the shore ; and lastly, 
old stumps of trees with gnarled roots, whose decaying hues 
are often extremely mellow and agreeable to the eye. All 
these have much to do with the expression of a truly pic- 
