80 DISTANT SCENERY. 



broken by a mixture of trees of different species and growth ; or 

 perhaps the hne may be opened and broken with increased effect, 

 and a variety in form obtained, which shall produce a contrast of 

 bright lights and deep shadows in the outline; this treatment of 

 formal plantations will generally destroy offensive clumps and the 

 belt-like appearance, which too frequently disfigure the face of a 

 country. (See Plate 6.) Mr. Price says, " Clumps placed on sum- 

 mits of hills alarm the picturesque traveller many miles off, and warn 

 him of his approach to the enemy : the belt Hes more in ambuscade ; 

 and the wretch who falls into it, and is obliged to walk the whole 

 round in company with the improver, will be forced to allow, that 

 a snake with its tail in its mouth is comparatively but a feeble em- 

 blem of eternity." 



The belt has all the condemnable sameness and formality, without 

 the redeeming grandeur of the avenue to which it has succeeded. 

 In an avenue, similar objects are seen from beginning to end. In 

 the belt, at intervals of twenty yards, groups of trees succeed each 

 other throughout the insipid circle, without the least relief in variety. 

 The contrast of masses with groups must not be too strong where 

 grandeur is the character of the scene, for unity is essential to great- 

 ness in this particular. If a wood be opened too much, it is no longer 

 one object, but a confused collection of plantations. If the progress 

 from one group to the other be gradual, then shapes and tints differ- 



