i88 ARBOR DAY 



performer are accompanied by the louder ring of the 

 keynote of the instrument, making it difficult 

 to detect the notes of the tune, except in the hands 

 of an extraordinary performer. 



Nature has provided against the disagreeable 

 effects that would result from the dismemberment 

 of trees, by giving to those which are the most com- 

 mon a great irregularity of outline, admitting of 

 disproportion without deformity. Symmetry in the 

 forms of natural objects becomes wearisome by 

 making too great a demand upon the attention 

 required for observing the order and relations of 

 the different parts. But if the objects in the land- 

 scape be irregular, both in their forms and their 

 distribution, we make no effort to attend to the 

 relations of parts to the whole, because no such 

 harmony is indicated. Such a scene has the beauty 

 of repose. The opposite effect is observed in works 

 of architecture, in which irregularity puzzles the 

 mind to discover the mutual relations of parts, and 

 becomes disagreeable by disturbing our calculation 

 and disappointing our curiosity. The charm of 

 art is variety combined with uniformity; the charm 

 of nature is variety without uniformity. Nature 

 speaks to us in prose, art in verse. 



Though we always admire a perfectly symmetrical 

 oak or elm, because such perfection is rare, it will 

 be admitted that the irregular forms of trees are 

 more productive of agreeable impressions on the 



