68 Gilpin's foeest scenery. 



compositioi] . It has sometimes its beauty and 

 oftener its use. In distance it preserves the 

 depth of the forest ; * and even on the spot, in 

 contrast, it is frequently a choice accompaniment. 

 In the corner of a landscape, when we want a 

 thick heavy tree, or part of one at least — which is 

 often necessary — nothing answers onr purpose 

 like the Beech. But at present we are not con- 

 sidering the Beech in composition, but only as 

 an individual, and in this light it is in which we 

 chiefly conceive it as an object of disapprobation. 

 We should not conclude our remarks on the 

 Beech without mentioning its autumnal hues. In 

 this respect it is often beautiful. Sometimes it 

 is dressed in modest brown, but generally in 

 glowing orange : and, in both dresses, its harmony 

 with the grove is pleasing. About the end of 

 September, when the leaf begins to change, it 

 makes a happy contrast with the Oak, whose 

 foliage is yet verdant. Some of the finest oppo- 

 sitions of tint, which perhaps the forest can 



* We call the forest deep, wlieii we cannot see tlirougli it ; so 

 that, at a distance, a thin wood of Beeches will have the effect of 

 a lar^e one. 



