326 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



are relative either to objects immediately in association with them, 

 or as bearing affinity to some other similar object created by past 

 experience or recollection. "We will take an instance or two so 

 as to illusti-ate our meaning. For example, see yon old ruin, 

 the stones of which are gradually crumbling into decay, the 

 green ivy clinging around it to shield it, as it were, from the 

 damaging influence of the atmos})here. Examine it closely ; is it 

 beautiful in itself? are those crumbling stones and lime inherently 

 beautiful 1 No ; but the contemplation of that old structure is 

 beautiful to the eye, because it carries the mind back to years long 

 gone by. It may be the only remains of some departed glory in 

 either Church or State, or it may be the link which ties the 

 present with the memory of some great man, or some epoch in 

 history which draws forth feelings of interest and respect, venera- 

 tion, love, or pity ; or long ago within those walls may have been 

 enacted some terrible tragedy, which even now produces a sense 

 of horror in beholding the spot. See again, that old gnarled tree, 

 it may be an oak, with twisted branches, hollow stem, and 

 apparently existing only by a miracle in nature. In itself it is 

 ugly, no symmetry, partially decayed, struggling for an existence, 

 or perhaps dead altogether. Can there be beauty in it 1 Yes ; 

 there is beauty to the mind that can be affected with past associa- 

 tions. That tree may have withstood the blasts and convulsions 

 of hundreds of years ; beneath its ample shade deeds may have 

 been done which thrill the heart; or among its spreading boughs 

 it may have hid one whose name is associated with historical 

 events which intei'est and draw forth the tenderest or most 

 patriotic emotions of the heart : consequently it is beautiful. Now, 

 true taste is the creation or arrangement of existing objects of this 

 or a kindred descrijition, so as to produce in the mind true beauty. 



Let us now endeavour to apply this in the further and more 

 particular consideration of our subject, and in order that this may 

 be done as perspicuously as possible, it is necessaiy that we should 

 define the objects of ornamental planting. This we will shortly 

 put under three heads — 



First. Planting around a countiy residence, or in the home 

 park for ornamental purposes. 



Second. The general distribution of trees over a large area of 

 country with the view to landscape efiect and general utility. 



Third. Hints on the distribution of different varieties of trees 

 with a view to the pictures(]ue and beautiful. 



