ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 131 



are in excellent keeping, and contribute much to give 

 value to the leading expression. 



When drooping trees are mixed indiscriminately with 

 other round-headed trees in the composition of groups 

 or masses, much of their individual character is lost, as 

 it depends not so much on the top (as in oblong and 

 spiry trees) as upon the side branches, which are of 

 course concealed by those of the adjoining trees. Droop- 

 ing trees, therefore, as elms, birches, etc., are shown to 

 the best advantage on the borders of groups or the 

 boundaries of plantations. It must not be forgotten, but 

 constantly kept in mind, that all strongly marked trees, 

 like bright colors in pictures, only admit of occasional 

 employment ; and that the very object aimed at in 

 introducing them will be defeated if they are brought 

 into the lawn and park in masses, and distributed 

 heedlessly on every side. An English author very justly 

 remarks, therefore, that the poplar, the willow, and the 

 drooping birch, are " most dangerous trees in the hands 

 of a planter who has not considerable knowledge and 

 good taste in the composition of a landscape." Some of 

 them, as the native elm, from their abounding in oui 

 own woods, may appear oftener; while others which 

 have a peculiar and exotic look, as the weeping willow, 

 should only be seen in situations where they either do 

 not disturb the prevailing expression, or (which is better) 

 where they are evidently in good keeping. " The weeping 

 willow," says Gilpin, with his usual good taste, "is not 

 adapted to sublime objects. We wish it not to screen 

 the broken buttress and Gothic windows of an abbey, 

 or to overshadow the battlements of a ruined castle. 

 These offices it resigns to the oak, whose dignity can 



