ON "WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 77 



that the latter should in all cases be preferred where it is 

 practicable. In this style, unlike the ancient, it is almost 

 impossible that the same plan should exactly suit any other 

 situation than that for which it was intended, for its great 

 excellence lies in the endless variety produced by its appli- 

 cation to different sites, situations, and surfaces ; developing 

 the latent capacities of one place and heightening the charms 

 of another. 



But the leading principles, as regards the formation of 

 plantations, which we have here endeavoured slightly to de- 

 velope, are the same in all cases. After becoming familiar 

 with these, should the amateur landscape gardener be at a loss 

 how to proceed, he can hardly do better, as we have before 

 suggested, than to study and recur again to the beautiful 

 compositions and combination of nature, displayed in her 

 majestic groups, masses, and single trees, as well as open 

 glades and deep thickets ; of which, fortunately, in most parts 

 of our country, checkered here and there, as it everywhere 

 is, with beautiful and picturesque scenery, there is no dearth 

 or scarcity. Keeping these few principles in his mind, he 

 will be able to detect new beauties, and transfer them to his 

 own estate ; for nature is truly inexhaustible in her re- 

 sources of the beautiful. 



To the man of taste, there is also another mine of wealth 

 in the productions of the pencil ; and the knowledge derived 

 from a critical contemplation of the best pictures, and en- 

 gravings, will be found of no mean or trifling importance. 

 Mason in his poem, the English Garden, thus alludes to 

 this subject : 



" If yet thy art be dubious how to treat 

 Nature's neglected features, turn thy eye 

 To those, the masters of correct design, 



