368 PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. BOOK I. 



formed by the junction of its base with the general surface, may, 

 by placing wood in the junction, be completely united with 

 every thing around. Accident has produced this effect on one 

 part of North Berwicklaw, a conical hill which rises abruptly 

 from the surface of a level or gently varied country. Agreeably 

 to my directions given in with the designs for forming the Re- 

 sidence of North Berwick, the greater part of the base of the 

 hill, and the lower parts of its sides are to be planted for the 

 same purpose. But the effect of wood in changing the appear- 

 ance of ground, though striking upon a large scale, is no less 

 important in smaller variations of surface. A few barrow loads 

 of earth on a knoll, or a continuation of swell on each side of a 

 walk or foreground, will make some difference, even though 

 clothed only with pasture ; but if planted with trees, they pro- 

 duce shade and character immediately; they may conceal de- 

 formities in the distance — serve as a frame or foreground to dis- 

 tant beauties which might pass unperceived — or they may 

 give importance to the scene itself from other points of view. 



Rocks. — Though in reality these can neither be created, in- 

 creased, nor taken away, yet several operations may be effected 

 with them apparently of the same nature, and consequently of 

 very great importance in landscape. They may be shewn, 

 concealed, or rendered more characteristic. Rocks may be 

 shewn by removing earth, and forming breaks and abruptnesses 



