10 



forest trees ; such of the exotic evergreens hs will 

 grow there, will particularly add to the uncouth ap- 

 pearance of the place ; and they should all he ])lant- 

 ed irregularly. As tiiere should be a greatness in the 

 fjuantity of the plantation, so should there be a great- 

 ness in the view of particular trees ; and therefore, 

 whenever there is a tree remarkably larije, •«!! the 

 otiier trees should be cleared out around it, and some 

 art used to draw the eye towards it, that the specta- 

 tor may be amazed, not only wilh the greatness of 

 the whole distribution of objects, but with the like 

 great appearance of the particular objects themselves. 

 Though every one will allow that straight lines, 

 whether of trees or water, arc contrary to the freedom 

 of this situation ; yet there is so much state in the ap- 

 proach to a great house by a great avenue, that we 

 almost imagine a great avenue to be a necessary ap- 

 pendage to a GOTHIC house : the constant custom of 

 seeins: them toijelher too, makes us more easily vield 

 to that notion. Perhaps other contrivances in planting 

 might be fallen upon, to preserve the state of approach, 

 and yet to avoid the stiffness and symmetry of a regu- 

 lar avenue. There is im attempt of this kind in the 

 walk to the gothic tower at claremont ; but it 

 is awkwardly executed. It consists of an avenue be- 

 twixt two thickets, towards the outlines of which 

 runs a serpentine line, and the trees of the line which 

 shoot farthest into the walk make the avenue. But 

 as the tre^s are thick planted, as the curves are of (Mie 

 measure, and as the outer trees are at too regular dis- 

 tances, it has the effect of a double symmetry ; one of 

 the regular surpentine lines, and another of the regu- 

 lar straight line: by this means it has all the stiti'ness 

 of an ordinary avenue, and none of its majesty. But 

 whatever may be said in favor of the straight line in 

 an avenue to such a house, nothing surely can be said 

 in defence of the straight line of any length in the 

 conduct of water. In such a situation, the water in- 

 stead of going in a long straight line, or in the small 

 serpentine, should go in great and irregular sweeps^ 



