134 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



" no two groups are exactly alike. But 

 " clumps, from the trees being of the same 

 " age and growth, from their being planted 

 t* nearly at the same distance, in a circular 

 " form, and from each tree being equally 

 " pressed by his neighbour, are as like each 

 '* other as so many puddings turned out of 

 " one common mould. Natural groups are 

 " full of openings and hollows ; of trees ad- 

 " vancing before, or retiring behind each 

 " other ; all productive of intricacy, of va- 

 " riety, of deep shadows, and brilliant lights. 

 " In walking about them, the form changes 

 " at each step : new combinations, new lights 

 " and shades, new inlets, present themselves 

 " in succession. But clumps, like compact 

 " bodies of soldiers, resist attacks from all 

 " quarters : examine them in every point of 

 " view — walk round them — no opening, no 

 " vacancy, no stragglers, but, in the true 

 " military character. Us font face pa7iout." 

 And the same author observes — " The mass 

 " of improvers seem, indeed, to forget that 

 " we are distinguished from other animals 

 " by being 



* Nobler far, of look erect/ 



