120 



On the Cedar in Scenery. 



been there before the villa was built, as if they came by ac- 

 cident, and were foreign to the scene. In the next sketch 

 {Jig. 18.) where I have supplied their place with a few pendent 



18 



and appropriate trees, the whole seems more consistent, more 

 complete, and in better keeping. 



The form and character of the cedar is not suited to any 

 thing on a small scale, or that betrays want of effect in its 

 architectural features, or in the disposition of the ground : thus 

 one would not place them in the centre of a home meadow, or 

 arable field, where oaks and elms are sometimes met with, 

 having a very good effect ; nor should they ever appear where 

 the scenery is either domestic, or homely, or tame. Nothing 

 annoys me more than to find a cedar, a cypress, or other 

 stately tree, contrasting itself with hay-stacks, and dove-cotes, 

 in the garden of some old farm-house, which, though little 

 remain of its former greatness, might originally have been the 

 residence of the lord of the manor, or some titled person : 

 yet some of these old-fashioned red-brick residences are to be 

 occasionally met with in their original state; their terraces 

 adorned with vases and figures ; the gardens in the old 

 geometric stile, with costly iron palisading, &c. ; then the 

 addition of a few venerable cedars will generally form a highly 

 picturesque and pleasing view. 



The cedar will not bear to be planted too thickly, or too 

 close together; it should be placed by twos and threes in 

 conspicuous situations, such as on small mounds, or by the 

 side of water, next bridges or temples ; sometimes on lawns, 

 or rising grounds that command extensive prospects, where 

 it may serve as a fore-ground ; but they must not be made 

 common by being seen at every turn : too many of them will 

 always destroy their effect, they are of such an exclusive 

 character, that they are more calculated to act upon a scene 



