what our grandfathers called "pieces of water" in scenes
where a purely natural effect is desired. The task is especially hard
when the stream, pond or lake has been artificially formed; for then
Nature's processes must be simulated not only in the planting but
in the shaping of the shores. Our illustration partially reveals a
successful effort of this sort--a pond on a country-seat near Boston.

It was formed by excavating a piece of swamp and damming a small
stream which flowed through it. In the distance towards the right the
land lies low by the water and gradually rises as it recedes. Opposite
us it forms little wooded promontories with grassy stretches between.
Where we stand it is higher, and beyond the limits of the picture
to the left it forms a high, steep bank rising to the lawn, on the
further side of which stands the house. The base of these elevated
banks and the promontories opposite are planted with thick masses
of rhododendrons, which flourish superbly in the moist, peaty soil,
protected, as they are, from drying winds by the trees and high
ground. Near the low meadow a long stretch of shore is occupied by
thickets of hardy azaleas. Beautiful at all seasons, the pond is most
beautiful in June, when the rhododendrons are ablaze with crimson and
purple and white, and when the yellow of the azalea-beds--discreetly
separated from the rhododendrons by a great clump of low-growing
willows--finds delicate continuation in the buttercups which fringe
the daisied meadow. The lifted banks then afford particularly
fortunate points of view; for as we look down upon the rhododendrons,
we see the opposite shore and the water with its rich reflected colors
as over the edge of a splendid frame. No accent of artificiality
disturbs the eye despite the unwonted profusion of bloom and variety
of color. All the plants are suited to their place and in harmony with
each other; and all the contours of the shore are gently modulated and
softly connected with the water by luxuriant growths of water plants.
The witness of the eye alone would persuade us that Nature unassisted
had achieved the whole result. But beauty of so suave and perfect a
sort as this is never a natural product. Nature's beauty is wilder if
only because it includes traces of mutation and decay which here are
carefully effaced. Nature suggests the ideal beauty, and the artist
realizes it by faithfully working out her suggestions.

[Illustration: A Piece of Art