64 FAMILIAR TREES 



sources of greater beauty are added, first the power of redundance^ 

 the mere quantity of foliage visible in the folds and on the pro- 

 montories of a single Alp being greater than that of an entire Low- 

 land landscape (unless a view from some cathedral tower) ; and to 

 this charm of redundance, that of clearer visibility, tree after tree 

 being constantly shown in successive height, one behind another, in- 

 stead of the mere tops and flanks of masses, as in the plains ; and the 

 forms of multitudes of them continually defined against the clear 

 sky, near and above, or against white clouds entangled among their 

 branches, instead of being confused in dimness of distance." 



Single trees look beautiful even in the hedgerows 

 of our corn-fields, though their suckers may render 

 them objectionable, from a utilitarian point of view, 

 in such a situation as on a lawn. A better place, how- 

 ever, is in the thinly-planted woodland belt that skirts 

 the home park ; but, though several trees in the front 

 line of such a belt will have a most pleasing effect, 

 the best Lowland position is, perhaps, a slight clearing 

 in a coppice, where the mass of flower-decked 

 branches, waving over a carpet of spring blossoms, 

 their pure white relieved with the bronze hue of the 

 young leaves, comes as a charming surprise upon the 

 beholder. 



