92 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



line or gentle curve of the former, and the 

 oval or circular fii^ure of the latter, which 

 have so generally prevailed. The beauty of 

 a wood depends mainly on the beauty of its 

 outline : and that outline requires a variety, 

 which can never be found in an insipid sweep, 

 but which arises from the contrast of projec- 

 tion and recess ; remembering that small 

 variations will not correct the insipidity, and 

 that the effect will be good in proportion to 

 the boldness of the contrast. These recesses, 

 again, should vary from each other both in 

 size and character ; but, in all. an angular ab- 

 ruptness should be preferred to a smoother 

 form : and, above all, the connection of the 

 several parts into one harmonious whole 

 should be ever kept in view. The nature of 

 the lower growths, as thorn, holly, &c., is 

 essentially useful in producing these varieties 

 of character, by giving density to some parts, 

 whilst others will admit the eye through the 

 boles of the more open grove into the in- 

 terior of the wood ; thus producing that 

 variety and intricacy which a natural wood 

 seldom fails to exhibit. 



It is very necessary to notice an error too 

 prevalent in forming large masses of wood ; I 



