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imitation of old Gothic ruins, it is true, would yield part of
this effect; but their gloomy and irregular appearance renders
them, in the case before us, generally improper.
Something of this kind (on the bolder eminences particularly)
seems to be the only essential article that is wanting to perfect
the rural beauties of this country; except, indeed, it may be
thought, that a little more attention paid to the removal and
planting of trees, would be of use for that end; and concerning
which I beg leave to lengthen this article with a few
observations.
Trees are certainly the ornament and pride of vegetable nature. A
bird despoiled of its plumage scarcely seems more mutilated and
ungainly, than countries and inclosures destitute of trees. They
have a good effect planted even (in their worst situation)
any-how in hedge-rows; but if they be lightly scattered, with
taste, in proper parts of the inclosure itself, they become
infinitely more pleasing. Hence, though nature has done wonders
in the disposition of trees in some of her favourite haunts, yet
still (if not in them) she may be improved upon in others, by the
assistance of art. And let not the lips of Sordidness object to
the purport of this hint, that if put in practice, it would ask
some care and expense, and probably prevent the growth of what is
more profitable to the owner, and servicable to man; for the God
of nature has far from having fully proportioned the animals of
the earth to its produce: and as he renders fruitless innumerable
seeds of almost every vegetable and animal creature, so the
application of a part of our care, and a portion of the earth, to
its own ornament, is, I am persuaded, so far from being culpable
or improper, that (in humble imitation of the divine love of
beauty and liberality) it seems to be as much required from the
pious votary of nature, as his admiration of what comes
immediately from its own efforts. In both cases God is alike
honoured; and honour to God is certainly too nearly connected
with religion to make it in any case an act of in-
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