, FEBRUARr. 67 



hollow roads, and in every wild and irregular direction. On 

 some, the large knots and protuberances add to the rugged- 

 ness of their twisted trunks ; in others, the deep hollow of the 

 inside, the mosses on the bark, the rich yellow of the touch- 

 wood, and other substances, afford a variety of tints, of 

 mellow lights and shades, such as the finest timber in health 

 and vigor cannot exhibit. 



The ground itself in these lanes is as much varied in form, 

 tint, and light and shade, as the plants that grow upon it. 

 The winter torrents, in some places, wash down the mould 

 from the upper grounds, and form projections of various 

 shapes, which are generally covered with the most luxuriant 

 verdure. In other parts they tear the banks into deep hol- 

 lows, discovering the different strata of earth, and the shaggy 

 roots of trees ; these hollows are frequently overgrown with 

 wild roses, with honeysuckles, periwinkles and other trailing 

 plants, whose flowers and pendent branches are singularly 

 wild and beautiful. How different is their appearance from 

 those that are cut into bushes, or crawl along the uniform 

 slope of a mowed or dug shrubbery ! 



Near the house, picturesque beauty must be often sacrificed 

 to neatness. A gravel walk cannot have the playful variety 

 of a by-road ; there must be a border to the gravel, and the 

 sweeps must be regular and formal. Still many of the cir- 

 cumstances which give variety and spirit to a wild spot, 

 might be successfully imitated in a dressed place. Without 

 having water-docks or thistles before one's door, their effect 

 in a painter's foreground might be produced by plants that 

 are considered as ornamental. 



There are several ways in which a spot of this kind 

 would probably be improved. Some perhaps would cut 

 down the old pollards, clear the rubbish, and leave only the 

 maiden trees standing ; some might plant up the whole ; 

 others grub up everything, and make a shrubbery on each 

 side ; others put clumps of shrubs or of firs ; worst of all, 

 the whole ground would be smoothed and levelled. The 

 mornent this mechanical common-place operation, by which) 

 Mr. Brown and his followers have gained so much fana©, is 



