266 Gilpin's forest scenery. 



they any connexion with each other. The wood- 

 man's judgment is shown in leaving the timber 

 trees at proper intervals, that they may neither 

 hinder each other's growth nor the growth of 

 the underwood. But the woodman does not 

 pretend to manage his trees with a view to pic- 

 turesque beauty ; and, from his management, it is 

 impossible they should produce a mass of light 

 and shade. 



Besides, the copse forms no contrast with the 

 plain, nor presents those beautiful projections and 

 recesses which the skirts of the forest exhibit. A 

 copse is a plot of ground portioned off for the 

 purpose of nurturing wood. Of course, it must 

 be fenced from cattle; and these fences, which 

 are in themselves disgusting, generally form the 

 copse into a square, a rhomboid, or some other 

 figure ; so that we have not only a deformity, but 

 a want also of a connecting tie between the wood 

 and the plain. Instead of a softened, imdulating 

 line we have a harsh fence. 



The best effect which the copse produces is on 

 the lofty banks of a river. I have the "Wye par- 

 ticularly in my view. In navigating such a river 



