ORNAMENT AND SHELTER 13 



changed by the changing of seasons; whereas that 

 produced by a deciduous tree resembles the like 

 effect in a bad picture, whose colours fade and frust- 

 trate the design of the artist. Much more, where 

 shelter is sought, has the holly a virtue which be- 

 longs not to any other tree. It is usual, by the 

 common mode of planting, to have needless shelter 

 in summer, and none in winter when the want is 

 greatest. Why, said an ancient poet, should music 

 be contrived only to enliven the occasions of mirth 

 and not rather to soothe those of sadness? And 

 why, with like reason, it may be asked, should 

 such trees be set for shelter as lavish their clothing 

 on the summer months, and leave those of winter 

 to cold and nakedness? 



But have not all modern plantations, it may be 

 said, a due mixture of evergreens Scotch firs, va- 

 rieties of spruce, and the beautiful Weymouth pine? 

 They usually have, it must be granted; and there 

 is to be found no fault at all with modern science 

 as displayed in the rearing of large plantations; 

 for indeed a true knowledge of that delightful 

 subject, together with extensive and liberal prac- 

 tice, have of late years adorned and enriched our 

 country. But of small strips and clumps, designed 

 for imparting beauty and comfort to the villa, the 

 author asserts, in general, the utter insufficiency. 

 By attending to the manner in which such strips 

 are usually formed, and to the successive stages of 

 their growth, it will appear that the intended shel- 

 ter must fail, and nakedness ensue; and, further 



