Their decided stiff form is objectionable either in nature or in representation, unless supported towards their base by some contrasting foliage and forms. In park scenery it would be highly objectionable to introduce poplars, either singly or in groups, unsupported by any other trees, as their style of growth is so much at variance from that natural irregularity of character so essential to the picturesque. Where they are embodied in plantations of various characters of growth, their towering forms may contribute to produce grace, dignity, or grandeur. The effect of this composition Mr. Thompson has happily elucidated in his sketch No. 3. With respect to the continued lines of reflection produced in the water, I imagine that this would have been considerably improved by the introduction of pendant forms, as the weeping willow, which, assisted by trees of a more circular character, in conjunction with that of the poplar, would have very much enhanced the beauty of the scenery.

45. Vincent Square,

February, 1826.

ART. V. Remarks on the Effect of the Cedar of Lebanon, in Landscape. By JOHN THOMPSON, Esq. Pictorial Draughtsman, and Student of Landscape Gardening.

THE cedar of Lebanon assumes a very romantic and imposing appearance, and from its frequent mention in sacred history, is ever associated with ideas of grandeur and architectural magnificence. There is even something architectural in its form; the thick upright stem, supporting the horizontal branches, in a great measure accord with the pillars and copings of buildings. This may be seen by reference to the inspired pictures of Martin, when Assyrian history has been the subject of his pencil. He has realized all that the most vivid imagination could conceive of Eastern splendour and the famous hanging gardens have not been forgotten. In them the cedar is the most prominent tree, which he has shown mixed with cypresses, and a few low shrubs and flowers forming a mass simple but grand, and quite in unison with the architectural character of the scene. The accompanying sketch (fig. 16.) is from an etching of the destruction of Babylon, and represents part of the hanging gardens.

Thus it may be inferred that cedars should always be the accompaniment of palaces, public buildings, and superior residences, though they are seldom met with so situated.

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The finest I have seen are at Blenheim; but even there they are not much contrasted with the architecture, but are spread generally throughout the whole of the gardens; and they appeared to me in a great measure lost from being so mixed up with other trees and shrubs; however, they serve to maintain the character of grandeur which belongs to this place. On the banks of the great lake, where the present Duke, since he left White Knights, has formed his new flowergarden, extending from the house to the cascade, there are some very fine cedars, and it is curious how well they accord with the simplicity of flower and garden scenery; but this may be accounted for by their being supported by other large from the extensiveness of the gardens, and from every thing around being on so grand a scale. For there are some garden scenes in which they would be found not only misplaced, but out of character and injurious; as in the grounds of a small modern villa, such as are to be found five or ten miles from town; there they would be quite at variance with our ideas and associations, as to what should attach to such a place. The accompanying sketch (fig. 17.) though it

trees

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forms a tolerable picture, will, I trust, illustrate what I have been stating. The villa is rendered insignificant by the stately presence of the cedars; and the cedars seem to have

been there before the villa was built, as if they came by accident, and were foreign to the scene. In the next sketch (fig. 18.) where I have supplied their place with a few pendent

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and appropriate trees, the whole seems more consistent, more complete, and in better keeping.

Nothing

The form and character of the cedar is not suited to any thing on a small scale, or that betrays want of effect in its architectural features, or in the disposition of the ground: thus one would not place them in the centre of a home meadow, or arable field, where oaks and elms are sometimes met with, having a very good effect; nor should they ever appear where the scenery is either domestic, or homely, or tame. annoys me more than to find a cedar, a cypress, or other stately tree, contrasting itself with hay-stacks, and dove-cotes, in the garden of some old farm-house, which, though little remain of its former greatness, might originally have been the residence of the lord of the manor, or some titled person: yet some of these old-fashioned red-brick residences are to be occasionally met with in their original state; their terraces adorned with vases and figures; the gardens in the old geometric stile, with costly iron palisading, &c.; then the addition of a few venerable cedars will generally form a highly picturesque and pleasing view.

The cedar will not bear to be planted too thickly, or too close together; it should be placed by twos and threes in conspicuous situations, such as on small mounds, or by the side of water, next bridges or temples; sometimes on lawns, or rising grounds that command extensive prospects, where it may serve as a fore-ground; but they must not be made common by being seen at every turn: too many of them will always destroy their effect, they are of such an exclusive character, that they are more calculated to act upon a scene

as figures do in landscape composition, than to form the basis of it. A red-coated soldier or two, would enliven a view, but a file of them would be anything but picturesque: unless, indeed, in a battle scene, where they formed the principal feature. So it should be with the cedars; if they must be together, let them form a grove; they would then have a character of gloomy magnificence, which might be a very fine addition to a residence. I should imagine that such a grove of full-grown cedars would be highly interesting and attractive. We will just suppose that the banks of an artificial river or lake were bounded on one side by grassy hills, planted with a few evergreens and birches, and that the other side was a gentle slope covered with a grove of cedars; that a winding and almost natural path conducted you among their ponderous stems; that the grass was kept tolerably free from weeds, that holly-hock, pæonies, roses, and other flowers of a large and imposing character, were raising their heads here and there, and that the woodbine was also twining around some of the stems; then suppose a clear summer evening, the water reflecting the yellow light of the sunset, and the stems of the cedars touched by its rays, and I think we shall have conceived one of the calmest and most solemn scenes that could be found in nature, or that it is in the power of art to create. In the annexed sketch (fig.19.) I have endeavoured to

convey some idea of the subject, but the smallness of the scale, and the absence of colour, are much against my pourtraying such a scene.

I would not recommend the introduction of cedars into plantations, or belts, as they are generally lost amidst the other foliage; and if brought to the edge, form too

much contrast with what is around them; they may be sparingly introduced in clumps, and should always take the lead; a few dwarf, round-headed trees or shrubs, with the poplar or cypress, are the best to group with them. (fig. 20.)

However, they are much better solitary; and in the fore-courts of palaces or other buildings of sufficient consequence, I would have nothing but a cedar or two. It is said that the new palace erecting on the site of Buckingham House is to have a large area before it, surrounded by a railing of Mosaic gold: - the broad carriage-way, the dark grass, and a few cedars, are all that I would introduce in it; unless it were a very few flowering shrubs, holly-hocks, or standard roses, and these not in dug beds, but on the grass.

There are two cedars on a small mound at Sion House; these are seen from the Thames, and are sure to attract the attention of every artist. I have seen numerous sketches and drawings of the scene around them, and I may venture to say, that it was the cedars, and they only, that were the inducement. Those in the Botanic Garden at Chelsea are never passed unheeded; thus showing how valuable they are in landscape composition, and consequently in landscape gardening.

No. 1. Wellington Street, Strand.

ART. VI. On forcing Roses. By R. A. SALISBURY, Esq. F. R. S., &c.

THE most successful method of obtaining these delightful flowers in great perfection during the winter months, which I am acquainted with, is as follows; but it takes three years to get them strong enough to produce a full crop; and I do not here include the Chinese roses lately introduced, which,