Four Trees 



But perhaps the best place of all for a 

 Lombardy poplar is beside a cottage, where 

 its lines contrast with the lowness of the 

 architectural lines yet are excused by them 

 and give them increased dignity as well as 

 charm. I have often seen it thus by a Eu- 

 ropean cottage which was enchantingly pict- 

 uresque but, without its poplar, would have 

 been commonplace and tame. The Lom- 

 bardy 's value, I say, is the value of a pro- 

 nounced accent ; and everyone knows that 

 accentuation of any sort should have a good 

 reason to excuse it, and - should not be often 

 repeated. Monotony itself is better, in the 

 long run, than an exclamatory style. 



Wholly different in character is the weep- 

 ing willow, but even more difficult to use 

 really well. Its excessive pliancy, its mourn- 

 ful, disconsolate expression, make it as con- 

 spicuous as the tallest poplar to eyes w^hich 

 can note the forms of trees even when they 

 are not relieved against the sky. As soon 

 as we see a weeping willow it almost shouts 

 out its contrast to the simpler shapes of the 

 trees which determine the general character 



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