GARDEN SCENERY. 
57 
indefinite versatility of the forms in which it may be rendered 
conducive to the heightening of the general effect, and from the 
peculiar fitness of British scenery for its introduction. In no 
country is this feature of our landscape excelled, or, indeed, 
equalled. The noble outline and thick umbrageous foliage of our 
trees, the gentle variations of the surface, and the general ab¬ 
sence of all natural impediments, conspire to form a tout ensemble 
which requires nothing but the presence of the fluid element to 
render it perfect. Yet, notwithstanding all these apparent induce¬ 
ments, in the majority of cases it is wanting. “’Tis pity,” truly; 
for we really think there is not a garden or domain, of either large 
or small extent, but would derive additional interest from its in¬ 
troduction in some shape or other ; and taking into account the 
many mechanical aids which exist both for its duction and dis¬ 
play, we think it can only require to be brought prominently 
forward to be made acceptable ; and at this season of ground¬ 
work operations, we would wish to induce every one who has to 
superintend either the establishment of a new place or the altera¬ 
tions of an old one, to consider well if it is not possible to add to 
their other selected features this very desirable one. 
We have been led into this subject by the perusal of a pamphlet 
by Mr. Freeman Roe, hydraulic engineer, &c., entitled “ The 
Handbook of Fountains, and Guide to the Gardens of Ver¬ 
sailles * in which, besides graphically describing the fountains 
of this celebrated place, Mr. Roe enters upon a consideration of 
the most appropriate designs for these very ornamental appen¬ 
dages, showing the fitness of some styles for peculiar situations 
over others of a contrary character, embodying several valuable 
suggestions that cannot fail to be of assistance in making a selec¬ 
tion. Upon the mechanical details necessary to be attended to 
in the construction of fountains, the following observations are 
well worth attention “ Having determined upon the form or 
varieties of the jet, according to the design which has been se¬ 
lected, it must be noticed that whatever be its direction, the dis¬ 
charge of water will always be the same, provided that the adjutage 
or size of the jet, and the altitude of the water in the reservoir 
above it, be the same. This is a necessary consequence of the 
law of hydrostatics—the equal pressure of fluids in all directions. 
* London : Groombridge & Sons. 
