XVII 



OF LESS CONSEQUENCE 



/CONCERNING a wonderful little study of 

 ^-J a pollard willow which I sent him the other 

 day, the professional painter writes this : " I don't 

 recommend perfectly round trees. For composi- 

 tion's sake, break off at least one bough." 



A hatchet, then, is an essential part of a land- 

 scape painter's equipment ; but as I do not find 

 it included in my catalogue, which is certainly 

 very complete, it may be that there is some 

 explanation of this hint which has escaped me. 

 And Farmer Lavender would object. I know 

 he would. Until I can communicate with my 

 master I will leave perfectly round trees alone. 



After search I find that there are no perfectly 

 round trees in this valley. I am therefore relieved 

 of the necessity of injuring Mr. Lavender's 

 pollards. I rejoice. But this shows how careful 

 my master is. He knows the danger of the 



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