50 



as to command the prospect underneath them. This may be done without 

 materially decreasing the shelter which we ought to preserve. The 

 woods, or masses, so essential as a background to the buildings, are equally 

 important as principals, with which the smaller masses, and various sized 

 groups of the dress grounds, are to be associated. 



In arranging these principal plantations on elevated ground, or hills, the 

 practice of planting scattered trees just on the summit only, should be avoided 

 as much as possible. They must be so managed as not to appear thin, or 

 grove-like, or to show the horizon through their stems, when viewed from any 

 public point (figure 15, a), as that at once suggests the idea of a want of 



Figure 15. 



extent, and, in appearance, at least, lessens the magnitude of the wood and 

 importance of the place, whilst a dense block leaves the mind to imagine 

 more. This error exists at Temple Newsam, near Leeds, and in Methley 

 Park, the seat of the Earl of Mexbrough, and many other places, when viewed 

 at some distance, and facing the front; and it might readily have been avoided 

 if the wood had been lower down on either side of the summit (figure 15, b b), 

 but especially on the remote side. A further effect in the variation will be 

 produced, and no less extent of magnitude of wood appear, but the mind be 

 rather led to imagine a continuity of forest, by a glade or two of grass being, 

 now and then, allowed to glide over the summit, so that the eye only catches 

 the tops of the trees beyond (c). 



