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tions of them : yet in this labyrinth of 

 intricacy, there is no unpleasant confusion ; 

 the general effect is as simple, as the detail 

 is complicate. Ground, rocks, and build- 

 ings, where the parts are much broken, 

 become fantastic and trifling; besides, they 

 have not that loose pliant texture so well 

 adapted to partial concealment: a tree, 

 therefore, is perhaps the only object where 

 a grand whole, or at least what is most 

 conspicuous in it, is chiefly composed of 

 innumerable minute and distinct parts. 



To shew how much those who ought to 

 be the best judges, consider the qualities I 

 have mentioned, no tree, however large 

 and vigorous, however luxuriant the fo- 

 liage, will highly interest the painter, if it 

 present one i* n iform unbroken mass of 

 leaves; while others, not only inferior in 

 size, and in thickness of foliage, but of 

 forms Which might induce some improvers 

 to cut them down, will attract and fix their 

 attention. The reasons of this preference 

 are obvious ; but as on these reasons, ac- 

 cording to the ideas I have formed, the 

 s 4 



