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Repton, Humphry, 1752-1818 / Fragments on the theory and practice of landscape gardening: including some remarks on Grecian and Gothic architecture, collected from various manuscripts, in the possession of the different noblemen and gentlemen, for whose use they were originally written; the whole tending to establish fixed principles in the respective arts
(1816)

[Fragment XXI. Frome House, Dorsetshire, continued],   p. 105


Page 105

105
barns, and the water is seen in the furrows along the side of the
willow   copse.    At present the view is neither land nor water;
but by digging a channel to connect with the line of the river,
the water will become the boundary of the dressed ground near
the house; while a pleasing intricacy will be occasioned by the
contrasted forms of bridges to connect the several islands; and
the landscape, without being bold, or romantic, will become
interesting and picturesque.*
There is a circumstance belonging to the Rivulets in Dorsetshire, which re-
quires peculiar treatment. The water of this and the adjoining counties of Hants and
Wilts often consists of small rivers called Bourns, some of which are perfectly dry dur-
ing the summer, and others are so shallow, as to be nearly invisible, from the quantity
of grass and weeds floating on the surface. Where the water is meant to be ornamental,
it will often be advisable to mow and rake the stream, which requires as much atten-
tion as a grass or gravel-walk, not to appear slovenly and overgrown with weeds.


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