312 gilfin's forest scenbey. 



size of trees where tlie distance is great has httle 

 effect, it is chiefly, and most essentially, occa- 

 sioned by the inequalities of the ground. 



A regular line at the base of a long range 

 of woody scenery is almost as disgusting as at 

 the summit of it. The woods must in some parts 

 approach nearer the eye, and in other parts 

 retire, forming the appearance of bays and pro- 

 montories. At least, this is the most beautiful 

 shape in which they appear. Sometimes, indeed, 

 the' inequalities of the ground prevent the eye 

 from seeing the base of the wood; for, as the base 

 is connected with the ground, it is commonly 

 more obscured than the summit, which ranges 

 along the sky. 



All square, round, picked, or other formal 

 shapes in distant woods are disgusting. 



There should not only be breaks, but contrast 

 also between the several breaks of a distant 

 forest scene. A line regularly varied disgusts as 

 much as an unvaried one. 



Among the permanent beauties of distant 

 woods, may be reckoned also the various kinds 

 of trees, of which they are often composed. 



