Choice of Trees — Grouping, 8fc. 
489 
is created, and a character given to the group, it did not before 
possess. For the poplars, which are taller than the other trees, 
are so disposed as to break the mass into several groups, and give 
a new aspect to the whole scene. The pointed heads of the pop- 
lars also form a pleasing contrast with the round heads of other 
trees, and break the too uniform line depicted on the sky, while 
the branches which rise stifly upwards, contrast with, and render 
more graceful the horrizontal, or pendent masses of round headed 
trees." 
" It is an established rule in the composition of landscapes, that 
all horrizontal lines should be balanced and supported by per- 
pendicular ones; and it is allowed by all writers on the material 
sublime, that gradually tapering objects, of great height, create 
emotions of sublimity. Hence the Lombardy poplar, the cypress, 
and other fastigiate branched trees may be advantageously planted 
wherever there is a continuance of horizontal lines; but they 
should be so arranged as to form a part of these lines, and ap- 
pear to grow out of them, rather than to break or oppose them in 
too abrupt a manner. In case of a bridge, displaying along and 
conspicuous horizontal line, the effect is greatly increased by 
planting poplars on each side of it, as denofed in Fig. 37. Not 
Fig. 37. 
only the lines of the bridge are balanced and supported by the 
uprignt poplars, but lengthened and pleasing reflections from the 
water are produced; which, breaking the horizontal gleams of 
light, not only afford variety and richness, but, by increasing the 
length of the perpendicular lines, formed by the trees, confer a 
degree of sublimity on the picture attainable by no other means. 
Similar effects may be produced by planting this poplar near the 
