79 



admit), from which the following general 

 principle seemed fairly to be deduced, 

 viz. that the prevailing lines of Gothic 

 buildings are best contrasted with round 

 headed trees, or, as Milton calls them, 

 tufted trees: 



' Towers and battlements he sees, > 



Embosom'd high in tufted trees,' 



While, on the contrary, the prevailing 

 lines of the Grecian will accord either 

 with round or conic trees; but, if the 

 base be hid, the contrast of the latter 

 will be most pleasing.' 



The Gothic style of architecture be- Gothic 

 ing the best calculated for additions or best^for 

 repairs to an old house, I have occasionally 



3 Since most of our pleasures may be traced to 

 mixed sources, and are always heightened by tliose of 

 association, I am indebted to a periodical critic for the 

 following remark : " Round-headed trees are more par- 

 "^ ticularly well associated witli tlie Gothic style of archi- 

 " tecture, as they are the only species of trees in this 

 " country at least, that appear coeval with antique struc- 

 '' tures." Perhaps from hence arises part of the dis- 

 gust at seeing modern Gothic buildings, however well 

 designed, surrounded by firs and Lombardy poplars. 



