THE observations in the preceding chapter concerning the reflection of sky on the surface of water, will account for that brilliant and cheerful effect produced by a small pool, frequently placed near a house, although in direct violation of Nature: for since the ground ought to slope, and generally does slope, from a house, the water very near it must be on the side of a hill, and of course artificial. Although I have never proposed a piece of water to be made in such a situation, I have frequently advised that small pools so unnaturally placed should be retained, in compliance with that general satisfaction which the eye derives from the glitter of water, however absurd its situation. It requires a degree of refinement in taste bordering on fastidiousness, to remove what is cheerful and pleasing to the eye, merely because it cannot be accounted for by the common laws of Nature; I was, however, not sorry to discover some plea for my compliance, by considering, that although water on a hill is generally deemed unnatural, yet all rivers derive their sources from hills, and the highest mountains are known to have lakes or pools of water near their summits.
