ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 
Ill 
adjoining trees. Drooping trees, therefore, as elms, birches, 
etc., are shown to the best advantage on the borders of groups, 
or the boundaries of plantations. It must not be forgotten, but 
constantly kept in mind, that all strongly marked trees, like 
bright colors in pictures, only admit of occasional employ- 
ment ; and that the very object aimed at in introducing them, 
will be defeated, if they are brought into the lawn and park 
in masses, and distributed heedlessly on every side. An 
English author very justly remarks, therefore, that the pop- 
lar, the willow, and the drooping birch, are “ most dangerous 
trees in the hands of a planter who has not considerable 
knowledge and good taste in the composition of a landscape.” 
Some of them, as the native elm, from their abounding in 
our own woods, may appear oftener ; while others, which 
have a peculiar and exotic look, as the weeping willow, 
should only be seen in situations where they either do not 
disturb the prevailing expression, or, (which is better,) where 
they are evidently in good keeping. “ The weeping willow,” 
says Gilpin, with his usual good taste, “ is not adapted to 
sublime objects. We wish it not to screen the broken but- 
tress and Gothic windows of an abbey, or to overshadow the 
battlements of a ruined castle. These offices it resigns to the 
oak, whose dignity can support them. The weeping willow 
seeks an humble scene, — some romantic footpath bridge, 
which it half conceals, or some glassy pool over which it 
hangs its streaming foliage, 
‘ And dips 
Its pendant boughs, as if to drink.’ ”* 
The manner in which a picturesque bit of landscape can 
* Forest Scenery, p. 133. 
