CONI FERj^. CE DRUS. 



24-21 



trasting itself with hay-ricks, corn stacks, and dovecots, in the garden of 

 some old farm-house; which, though little remains of its former greatness, 

 might originally have been the residence of the lord of the manor, or of some 

 titled person. When, however, any of these old-fashioned red-brick resi- 

 dences are to be met with in their original state, their terraces adorned 

 with vases and figures ; their gardens in the old geometric style, with costly 

 iron palisading, &c.; a few venerable cedars will generally form a highly 

 grand and picturesque addition to the scene. Cedars will not bear to be 

 planted too thickly, or too close together : they should be placed by twos 

 and threes, in conspicuous situations, such as on small mounds, or by the side 

 of water, next to bridges or temples ; sometimes on lawns, or rising grounds, 

 that command extensive prospects, where they may serve as a foreground ; 

 but they must not be made common by being seen at every turn. Too many 

 cedars, in any situation, will always destroy their own effect : they are of such 

 an exclusive character, that they are more calculated to act upon a scene as 

 figures do in landscape composition, than to form the basis of it. A red- 

 coated soldier or two would enliven a view, but a file of them would be any 



thing but picturesque : unless, indeed, in a battle scene, where they formed 

 the principal feature. So it should be with the cedars : if they must be to- 

 gether, let them form a grove ; they would then have a character of gloomy 

 magnificence, which might be a very fine addition to a residence. I should 

 imagine that such a grove of full-grown cedars would he highly interesting 

 and attractive. We will just suppose that the banks of an artificial river or 

 lake were bounded on one side by grassy hills, planted with a few evergreens 

 and birches, and that the othei- side was a gentle slope, covered with a grove 

 of cedars ; that a winding and almost natural path conducted you among their 



7 R 4 



