HEDGE-ROW TIMBER. 105 



bourhood of his house, or on the domain where his 

 mansion stood, however extensive it might be : or 

 if he generously spared the trees which, though at 

 a great distance from his residence, were so placed 

 as to enrich, if not constitute the principal beauty 

 of, some splendid scene in nature, no one, who 

 possesses a grain of taste, would regret it, but, on 

 the contrary, would feel grateful for this sacrifice 

 to one of the most hallowed emotions of the heart, 

 when surveying the Creator's works, which are all 

 perfect ; and the touches of whose pencil are all 

 loveliness whether as seen in the refreshing beau- 

 ty of foliage which distinguishes the vernal season, 

 or the mellowed minglings of Autumn's enchanting 

 exhibitions : but when it is considered, that a 

 majority of the Nobility and Gentry, thus treat 

 their remote and even most distant estates, where 

 besides, there is nothing particularly attractive in 

 the scenery, the propriety of the course which they 

 pursue may, I think, be fairly questioned. Some 

 other reason therefore, than a deference to the 

 principles of good taste must be found, in order to 

 account for their conduct ; and in looking round for 

 a reason I should say, a good deal must be set 



