160 
ON THE ARRANGEMENT OF PLANTS IN GROUPS. 
common bushes or shrubs of a deciduous kind, should stand at a few of the more salient 
points of the plantation, or in some of the retiring glades, or form an impervious 
slope from the trees in places where it is desirable to exclude the eye from what 
is visible behind ; that evergreen shrubs be similarly employed for the same pur- 
pose where Pines and Firs prevail ; and that shrubs of all sorts be more freely 
planted as an undergrowth, with Rhododendrons, and such like flowering plants, 
by the sides of the road. It may be that these suggestions have already been 
partially carried into effect in some estates. But their adoption is not, on this 
account, to be the less desired in others ; and we urge them, imperfect as they are, 
on all whom they may concern. 
Besides the assemblage of trees in groups called plantations or woods, on which 
we cannot now longer dwell, there is that system of planting in lines, termed 
avenues. These are mostly confined to pleasure-grounds and parks. An avenue, it 
may be remarked, should never be placed on the top of a hill or eminence, since the 
uniformity in the height of the trees composing it would have a very disagreeable 
effect from the lower ground around it. Nor should it descend a hill, and have 
its termination in a valley, for this will create the idea of going down to a residence, 
even though it should not lead to a building ; and to pass down a hill towards a 
house is always repugnant to taste. Avenues, again, are not compatible with 
lines that are variously or abruptly curved ; and ought, therefore, to be invariably 
straight, or to depart very slightly from a right line. Curves and windings nullify 
their simplicity and grandeur ; and the mind cannot endure to be shut up between 
even verdurous walls, without being able to see to what they lead. 
The dignity and magnificence embodied in the very nature of an avenue, 
demand that it should end in a mansion or other architectural object of cor- 
responding greatness. If the formation of " walks that lead to nothing" be justly 
a subject of ridicule, how much more absurd must their want of an object become 
when having stately rows of trees on either side ! The mind acquiesces in its con- 
finement between lines of trees, in the assurance that they will conduct to some- 
thing which will reward its patience. Their existence is entirely calculated to 
beget and foster such a notion ; and where they do not lead to a mansion, they 
ought, at least, to bring the visitor to some highly-enriched obelisk, or pillar, or 
temple, or to take him to the top of a hill from which some glorious or sublime 
prospect may be obtained. Without they do one or other of these things, they 
must be pronounced abortions, and proportionately reprehended. 
We are acquainted with avenues which begin and terminate in open parts of 
pleasure-grounds and parks, or are similarly objectless in public roads ; and we can 
call to mind others, too, which form the approach to houses of the most undignified 
character, which are mere masses of brick, without the least architectural pro- 
portions or style. Some, moreover, are finished a few yards to the right or left of a 
tolerably respectable residence ; and appear to have belonged to the more taste- 
ful proprietors of a former mansion. All these are nearly alike faulty ; and unless 
