257 



break its regularity; but so far from pro 

 ducing that effect by dividing it into 

 clumps, he could scarcely invent a method 

 by which its regularity would be made so 

 manifest in every direction. When entire, 

 its straitness can only be seen when you 

 look up or down it ; viewed sideways, it 

 has the appearance of a thick mass of wood : 

 if you plant other trees before it, to them 

 it gives consequence, and they give it 

 lightness and variety ; but when it is di- 

 vided, and you can see through it, and 

 compare the separate clumps with the 

 objects before and behind them, the strait 

 line is apparent from whatever point you 

 view it. In its close array, the avenue is 

 like the Grecian phalanx : each tree, like 

 each soldier, is firmly wedged in between 

 its companions; its branches, like their 

 spears, present a front impenetrable to all 

 attacks; but the moment this compact 

 order is broken, their side's become naked 

 and exposed. Mr. Brown, like another 

 Paul us iEmilius, has broken the firm em- 

 bodied ranks of many a noble phalanx of 

 vol. i. s 



