336 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. BOOK I. 



the mind, which makes a gardener so fond of the trees that he 

 has reared, as either to use every means to keep them isolated 

 from one another, so as they may properly enjoy all the agents 

 of vegetation, and become conspicuous single objects; or else, 

 from want of courage to extirpate individuals, to let the whole 

 grow up together until they destroy each other. The princi- 

 ples of natural effects, however, are universal in their applica- 

 tion, even with regard to utility. These principles, and also the 

 imitation of the effects produced by the extremes of their ope- 

 ration, will ever be the true criterion of beauty* in the arts of 

 taste, or in ornamental productions. 



* This is equally true, both of the physical and moral world, — of men and 

 things ; variety and unity are attributes of perfection. 



