CHAP. cm. 



SALICA^EiE. PO'PULUS. 



1663 



round-headed trees has been illustrated by Mr. John Thompson, in the first 

 volume of the Gardener's Jlfagazine ; of which paper the following is an abs- 

 tract, with some explanatory additions: — The Lombardy poplar, considered 

 as a tall conical mass of foliage, becomes of great importance in scenery, when 

 contrasted with round-heailed trees. It is a known rule in the composition 

 of landscape, that all horizontal lines sliould be balanced and supported by 

 perpendicular ones ; and, hence, the bridge in fig. 1521., displaying a long and 



1521 ^— =- 



conspicuous horizontal line, has its effect greatly increased by the poplars 

 planted on each side of it. Not only the lines of the bridge are balanced 

 and supported by the upright poplars, but lengthened and pleasing reflec- 

 tions from the water are produced; svliich, breaking the horizontal gleams 

 of light, not only produce variety and richness, but, by increasing the length 

 of the perpendicular lines formed by the poplars, confer a degree of sublimity 

 on the picture : since it is allowed by all wiiters on the material sublime, 

 from Burke to Dugald Stewart, that gradually tapering objects of great height 

 create the emotion of sublimity. This is admirably illustrated at Blenheim, 

 where the poplar is an accompaniment to all the bridges, but more parti- 

 cularly to that viaduct, near Woodstock, where the water first enters the park : 

 this, seen from the neighbourhood of the great bridge, forms a landscape of 

 much beauty and purity. On the other hand, the planting of the island in the 

 lake at Blenheim is as much at variance with good taste as the planting at 

 the bridge is conformable to it. It is covered with tall poplars, forming a mass 

 which seems too big for its base; and which, from its stiff and upright form, 

 is too strong!}' opposed to the varied outline of the surrounding wood and 

 water, and destroys all breadth of effect. How much more agreeable it would 

 have been, to have looked down from the bridge on an island varied with 

 small groups of well-selected, low, round-headed trees ! Lombardy poplars 

 may be advantageously planted wherever there is a continuance of horizontal 

 lines ; but they should be so arranged as to form a part of those lines, and to 

 seem to grow out of them, rather than to break or oppose them in too abrupt 

 a manner. In the case of a stable or other agricultural building, where the 

 principal mass extends in length, rather than in height, it would be wrong to 

 plant Lombardy poplars, or other tall fastigiate trees, immediately before the 

 building; but they will have a good effect when placed at the sides, or behind 

 it, as shown in,/%. 1522. This poplar is very generally planted in front of 

 the suburban cottages and residences which are to be found within a few 



