ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 71 



into stronger light, contribute greatly to produce intricacy 

 and variety, and confer an expression, which, without these 

 latter qualities, .might in a great measure be wanting. By 

 shutting out some parts, and inclosing others, they divide 

 the extent embraced by the eye into a hundred different 

 landscapes, instead of one tame scene bounded by the 

 horizon. 



The different seasons of the year, too, are inseparably 

 connected in our minds with the effects produced by them 

 on woodland scenery. Spring is joyous and enlivening to 

 us, as nature then puts on her fresh livery of green, and the 

 trees bud and blossom with a renewed beauty, that speaks 

 with a mute and gentle eloquence to the heart. In sum- 

 mer they offer us a grateful shelter under their umbrageous 

 arms and leafy branches, and whisper unwritten music to 

 the passing breeze. In autumn we feel a melancholy 

 thoughtfulness as 



" We stand among the fallen leaves," 



and gaze upon their dying glories. And in winter we see 

 in them the silent rest of nature, and behold in their leaf- 

 less spray, and seemingly dead limbs, an annual type of 

 that deeper mystery the deathless sleep of all being. 



By the judicious employment of trees in the embellishment 

 of a country residence, we may effect the greatest alterations 

 and improvements within the scope of Landscape Garden- 

 ing. Buildings which are tame, insipid, or even mean in 

 appearance, may be made interesting, and often picturesque, 

 by a proper disposition of trees. Edifices, or parts of them 

 that are unsightly, or which it is desirable partly or wholly 

 to conceal, can readily be hidden or improved by wood ; 

 and walks and roads, uhich otherwise would be but simple 



