{title- Transcription of Green's Studies from Nature, 1809}
{series- Lakes Guides}
{author- Norgate, Martin & MN: 24.12.2012}
{version- last edit: 24.12.2012}
{abstract- Transcription of the introductory text to the series of prints,
Seventy Eight Studies from Nature, by William Green, Ambleside,
Westmorland, published 1809.}
{page = intro 1}
{header- Transcription of Green's Studies from Nature, 1809}
{text- The transcription is of the introductory text to the series of
prints, Seventy Eight Studies from Nature, by William Green, published by
Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, London and By William Green, Ambleside,
Westmorland, 1809.}
{text- source type: LakesSrc & Green 1809}
{image = GN03T.jpg}
SEVENTY EIGHT / STUDIES FROM NATURE. / ENGRAVED BY WILLIAM GREEN, / FROM
DRAWINGS BY HIMSELF.
London: / PRINTED BY J. BARFIELD, WARDOUR-STREET / PRINTER TO HIS HIGHNESS
THE PRINCE OF WALES, / FOR MESSRS. LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME,
PATERNOSTER-ROW; AND W. GREEN, AMBLESIDE, WESTMORLAND. / 1809.
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, preface}
{text- preface}
{image = GN03P1.jpg}
INTRODUCTION.
THE Artist by whom the plates in this work have been etched from his own
drawings, after a residence of nine years amidst the beautiful scenery of
the North of England, flatters himself that the experience he has thereby
gained, has enabled him to select, from his numerous portfolios, materials
for publication, which may very much tend to facilitate the progress of
those, who, in their study of landscape painting, are disposed to avail
themselves of such assistance. Whatever may be the merits of these
productions in other respects, to the praise of characteristic accuracy he
feels he has a right to lay claim. He has always considered that fidelity
of imitation is the first step to improvement in the fine arts; and that
those who have not originally attended, with painful correctness, to the
minutiae of nature, must be very ill qualified to form those grand
ideal compositions, which, unless they are founded upon, and corrected by,
an intimate knowledge of truth, are indeed but as
"----- a tale,
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing!"
Ambleside, August 1st, 1809.
W. G.
{index terms = landscape painting; painting, landscape}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 5}
SEVENTY EIGHT / STUDIES FROM NATURE.
NUMBERS 1 and 2 are given as easy examples of Stones, and proper to be
copied by such as have accomplished still simpler subjects.
Number 3. To a foreground consisting of a Road with stones, is added a
distance of mountains.
Number 4. Fordingdale Beck* is an impetuous mountain torrent, which
runs into Haws Water, near Measand School. There is a succession of pretty
water-falls upon this beck: the one given here is simple in its
accompaniments, and not difficult of imitation.
Number 5. Stonethwaite, in Borrowdale, is a village consisting of about
twelve houses; it is seven miles from Keswick, and on the road to Langdale,
over the Stake.
Number 6. This view of the Salutation Inn was made from a garden, the
property of William Newton, Esq. on the opposite side of the little river
called Stock Gill.
Number 7. Clappersgate, is scarcely a mile from Ambleside, on the road to
Hawkshead; it consists of about a dozen houses.
Number 8. The ruins of Furness Abbey lie about three miles west of Gleaston
Castle, which is south from Ulverstone five or six miles. Some useful
drawing may be got at Gleaston Castle; and Peel Castle, a few miles south
of it, is not undeserving the attention of an artist.
Number 9. Loughrigg Fell† is the distant object in this little
scene, which is viewed from a place called the How: This is one of the many
beautiful eminences in which Grasmere so much abounds.
* A beck is a brook or small river.
† The mountains in the north are usually called fells by the
natives.
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 6}
6
Number 10. The river Brathay separates Lancashire and Westmoreland; and
Brathay Bridge lies in the western extremnity of Clappersgate, on the
Hawkshead road.
Number 11. This bridge is near the Yew tree in Yewdale, a grand valley
lying at the feet of the high mountains on the north of Coniston Water.
Number 12. A foreground of Burdock, intermixed with Briar, and other
Plants.
Number 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Stones, in which the various
peculiarities of nature have been carefully attended to.
Number 20. Part of an Oak Tree stripped of its bark.
Number 21. Common Dock, growing by a wall.
Number 22. The leaves of Foxglove, and young oak, at the root of an ash
tree.
Number 23. Young Hazle.
Number 24. Young Oak.
Number 25. Foxglove, accompanied by a mossy stone and various little
vegetables.
Number 26. Fern, in Stock Gill Lane.
Number 27. Newlands is a fine valley, through which is the horse road from
Keswick to Buttermere. Skelgill, which is on an eminence, and shaded by
massy sycamores, may be seen from many points of this road; it is an
interesting object likewise from Derwent Water. The wells of mountains,
from the mixture of stones, water, and vegetation, are interesting objects
to a painter's eye.
Number 28. Throng near Langdale Chapel, is about five miles from Ambleside:
the distant mountains are Langdale Pikes.
Number 29. A view of one of the Towers of Gleaston Castle.
Number 30. Crooka Bridge is scarcely a mile from the Inn at Patterdale; it
lies under Place Fell, on the opposite side of the river to the road from
Patterdale to Ambleside.
Number 31. Barrow House, formerly the property of Joseph Pocklington, Esq.
commands a fine view of Skiddaw, with Derwent Water; the cascade is at the
back of the house, and the view here presented is from the dining room. In
every cascade there is a particular quantity of water which is more
pleasant to the eye than any other quantity; and those who may view the one
at Barrow, under favourable circumstances, will, it is trusted, be highly
gratified; and be ready to pronounce the most charming
{index terms = Brathay, River; Rothay, River; limekiln; Brathay Bridge;
yew; Yewdale; flower; burdock; briar; oak; hazel; foxglove; ash; fern;
Stockghyll Lane; Newlands Valley; road, Buttermere and Borrowdale;
Skelgill; sycamore; Thrang; Langdale Chapel; Langdale Pikes; Gleaston
Castle; Crooka Bridge; Barrow House; Pocklington, Joseph; Barrow Cascade}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 7}
7
picture of its kind among the mountains. The course of the water has been
diverted from its original channel, by Mr. Pocklington; who had previously
excavated the rock, and who has given the whole to the public eye in its
present beauty. - There are four place between the bottom and top of the
fall, from which it may be seen, the access to which is easy. A little
building near the top of the fall, in which there are seats, commands a
splendid view of Derwent Water, over the tops of the trees.
Number 32. Stones on Loughrigg Fell.
Number 33. Fern, Hazle, and Oak.
Number 34. This is the place where Mary Robinson (sometimes called the
beauty of Buttermere) for some years made a considerable advantage of
public curiosity. She was a fine girl when fourteen, and a most interesting
one at sixteen; what she was between that age and twenty-four is not known
to the writer; but at the latter period many were disappointed, and Mary
must certainly have been distressed, when the undiscerning were eager to be
informed from herself, when modestly waiting upon them, how they might
procure a sight of the beauty.
Number 35. Loggan House, in the vale of Langdale, is near six miles from
Ambleside, lying about half a mile on the left of the road leading from
that place to Borrowdale, over the Stake.
Number 36. Troutbeck is four miles from Ambleside, and two from the Inn at
Low Wood. - It is a large village; the buildings are picturesque, and those
who delight in cottage scenery will rarely find a greater variety in so
small a compass. From the road which connects the Inn and the village, are
various stands, where the traveller may view Windermere with advantages
that scarecly any other road in the neighbourhood of that lake can give
him.
Number 37. The Horse Road between Keswick and Buttermere is through
Newlands. Low Houses joins this road, and is about four miles from Keswick;
Skelgill, with its Sycamores, is about half a mile to the left, and at
right angles with the road at Low Houses.
Number 38. Several buildings in Troutbeck are called Lane foot: By mistake
this drawing was reversed upon the copper.
Number 39. Loughrigg Fell is a pleasing object from the Salutation Inn; and
between them is the Millands, an uneven field, on the high parts of which
are beautiful young oaks and other trees, some of which serve to embellish
the view before us. The modern houses are the property of Robert Partridge,
Esq.
{index terms = Barrow Cascade; Loughrigg Fell; fern; hazel; oak; Robinson,
Mary; inn, Buttermere; Loggan House; Troutbeck; Windermere lake; road,
Buttermere and Borrowdale; Low Houses Skelgill; sycamore; Lane Foot;
engraving, error Millands, The; Partridge, Robert; oak}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 8}
8
Number 40. The church in Patterdale is a good object from many parts of the
vale; it lies on the left of the road, about a quarter of a mile from the
Inn, and is between it and the lake; the Yew tree, picturesque in ruin, is
said formerly to have shaded considerably more ground than it does at
present, which is probable, from the trunk being out of proportion with its
impending branches.
Number 41. Grasmere has been many times celebrated. The Lake and Church,
when connected with the surrounding scenery, from many points in the valley
will wonderfully impress the mind with ideas of beauty. - But if this
bottom be at present beautiful, how much more so might it be rendered, if
every proprietor were anxious to do his best endeavour to add to it!
Number 42. This view of Ambleside is from a lime-kiln near the junction of
the rivers Brathay and Rothay; a place where pleasure-boats for the use of
the lake are moored. Langdale slate is sent in small craft from the landing
to the foot of the lake, whence it is taken below Backbarrow, to be
conveyed by water to Liverpool, Manchester, and other places. The Bridge in
this view is across the Rothay, and is called Rothay Bridge. The high
mountain is Scandale Fell.
Number 43. The remote mountain in this view is Eagle Crag, where that
voracious bird, the eagle, formerly built its nest. There are now none in
the north of England. The last inhabited these rocks, and were destroyed
about twenty years ago. The river spanned by Stonethwaite Bridge, is that
branch of the Derwent which runs from the summit of the Stake; the division
of Langdale and Borrowdale, and of Westmorland and Cumberland.
Number 44. Askham Bridge is over the river Lowther, at the western
extremity of the village of Askham, about six miles from Penrith. On the
opposite side of the river, and not a quarter of a mile from the bridge, is
Lowther Hall, the magnificent gothic Mansion of the Earl of Lonsdale;
designed by the ingenious Mr. Smirke, Junr. The trees at Lowther,
particularly those that lie towards Penrith, are sublime from their
antiquity; and perhaps, as landscape studies, superior to most to be met
with in this island. A gentleman of universally acknowledged taste,
describes the river Lowther, ornamented by its trees, as exhibiting scenes
of superior beauty, and highy worthy the attention of those who would
profit by the study of landscape nature.
Number 45. Nether Wasdale is at the foot of Wastwater, and Wasdale head at
the head of the lake, which lies in a right line, about fourteen miles
north-west of Ambleside. This bridge is over the river Irt, about half a
mile from the foot of the lake.
Number 46. Bowderdale is a solitary house, and the only one between the
head and foot of Wastwater; it is about a quarter
{index terms = St Patrick, Patterdale; yew; Grasmere; Ableside; limekiln;
boat; slate, transport; Backbarrow; Rothay Bridge; Rothay, River; Scandale
Fell; Eagle Crag, Borrowdale; eagle, last; Stonethwaite Bridge; Derwent,
River; Askham Bridge; Lowther, River; Lonsdale, Earl of; Lowther Castle;
Smirke, Mr; architect; Nether Wasdale; Strands; Wasdale Head; Irt, River;
Bowderdale}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 9}
9
of a mile out of the road, and two thirds up the side of the lake from its
foot. Wastwater is four miles in length, and more than half a mile broad;
the conical mountain is Yewbarrow.
Number 47. Stock Gill is a little river which runs through Ambleside. About
half a mile up this river, from the Salutation Inn, is a fine water-fall
called Stockgill Force; between the town and the force are many pretty,
though inferior, falls of water, and the one given here is as a lesson in
that sort of drawing.
Number 48. This view of Windermere is from a field above the Inn at Low
Wood. The promontory is called Holm Point. Brathay House, the property of
Henry Law, Esq. and the present residence of John Harden, Esq. a gentleman
of fine taste, is seen surrounded by wood: Langdale Pikes, and the
mountains of Eskdale and Borrowdale, close the view.
Number 49. Curwen Island, the property of John Christian Curwen, Esq. and
the largest Island on Windermere, apparently uniting with the promontories,
seems to cut the lake in two; Storrs, on the first projecting land, is the
property of Colonel Bolton, who has lately made vast additions to the
house; the improvements, which are in good taste, do credit to the
architect. The two ferry points, with Berkshire Island, lie between the
houses of Mr. Bolton and Mr. Curwen. Calgarth, the seat of the Right Rev.
the Bishop of Llandaff, is among the enclosures on the banks of the lake,
and is seen beyond the Island House. The distant mountains are Fairfield,
Scandale, Wansfell, Colda, and Hill Bell. This view is from the Fellside,
above Beech Hill.
Number 50. Elter Water, in Langdale, is four miles from Ambleside. The
house at the head of the lake is Elter water Hall, the property of the Rev.
Mr. Byrom, but at present the residence of Mrs. Fleming. Langdale Pikes are
the last mountains in this scene.
Number 51. This view of the lake and vale of Grasmere is from the side of
Loughrigg Fell, below the road to Langdale Chapel from Ambleside. There is
only one island on this lake, but from it there is a fine panorama of the
circumjacent country; Helme Crag, a mountain of good figure from some parts
of the valley, is seen above the church; beyond which is Steel Fell. Seat
Sandal rises high; and at the intersection of the sweeping lines of Steel
Fell and Seat Sandal is Dunmail Raise, a considerable heap of stones,
dividing Westmoreland and Cumberland; the zigzag line below the raise is
part of the road between Keswick and Ambleside.
Number 52. Burdock and Briar.
{index terms = Wast Water; ; Yewbarrow; Stock Ghyll; Windermere lake; Holm
Point, Windermere; Brathay House; Law, Herny; Harde, John; Langdale Pikes;
Belle Isle; Curwen Island; Curwen, John Christian; Storrs; Bolton, Colonel;
Berkshire Island; Calgarth; Llandaff, Bishop of; Fairfield; Scandale Fell;
Wansfell; Ill Bell; Elter Water; Elter Water Hall; Byrom, Mr; Fleming, Mrs;
Grasmere lake; Helm Crag; island, Grasmere; Steel Fell; Seat Sandal;
Dunmail Raise; road, Ambleside to Keswick; flower; burdock; briar}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 10}
10
Numbers 53, 54, 55, 56, are various studies made in Rydal Park. In the
springs are valuable foreground materials, some at the roots of trees; 55,
and 56, are two of them. Rydal Park is a fine spot for study: The trees are
majestic; and the lakes of Windermere and Rydal, in composition with the
wood and mountains, exhibit some very extraordinary pictures. Some years
ago it was the opinion of gentlemen who had been in many parts of the
united kingdom and on the continent, that they had seen nothing equal to
Rydal Park. Although a great deal of the wood has recently been cut down;
it is even at present a charming place. The writer has enjoyed much
pleasure in contemplating the scenes of Rydal Park, and is grateful for the
privilege of studying there. He has frequently been in the Park from ten to
twelve hours without seeing a human being.
Number 57. This Birch tree was drawn on the side of Grange Fell, above
Bowder Stone. The leaves of young Oak, Dock, and Briar are added.
Number 58. Oak and Ash. The Oak is one of the stag-headed trees in Rydal
Park, the Ash is from the banks of Ullswater.
Number 59, and 60. Loughrigg Fell is the western boundary of the vallies of
Ambleside and Rydal. There is no hill of a moderate height in the
neighbourhood of Ambleside, that furnishes such a variety of singular
scenes as Loughrigg Fell. A fine ascent to it is from Clappersgate, leaving
the pubic road at No.7, in this work. A bird's-eye view of Windermere on
the left, and in front the Coniston mountains present themselves. Blelham
Tarn,* Esthwaite Water, great and little Langdale, Elter Water,
Loughrigg Tarn, Rydal Water, Grasmere, with the villages of Ambleside and
Rydal, are by turns seen from Loughrigg Fell; but the most impressive scene
is from a projecting part of the mountain, about three furlongs south east
of Loughrigg Tarn. This walk may be agreeably varied by returning to
Ambleside by a house called Brow Head and Millar Brig Stepping Stones, or
by a somewhat more public road which is north of Brow Head: these roads
unite near the Stepping Stones.
Number 61. It is the opinion of several people of acknowledged taste, that
the mountains of Langdale afford to the eye, from many parts of the vale, a
greater variety of fine forms than the mountains surrounding any other
valley here. One of the conical-topped pikes, and a grand surface of rock
called Gimmer Crag, are the principal features of the scene before us. The
drawing was made at a little distance from Wall End, which is about nine
miles from Ambleside.
* A Tarn is a small Lake.
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 11}
GN03P11.txt
11
Number 62. There are many Raven Crags in Cumberland, Westmoreland, and
Lancashire; but this is the Crag which is so grand a feature of Leathes
Water, and from the river issuing out of it. The scene presented here, is
taken a little out of the way, on the left hand of the road from Ambleside
to Keswick; twelve miles from the former place, and four from the latter.
Number 63. This view of the Vale of Newlands is from the west of Swinside.
Hindsgarth and Goldscope display an interesting variety of line from this
point, being scarcely from any other situation so good.
Number 64. This scene on Newlands Beck is taken near a wooden bridge on the
foot-road leading from Skelgill to Low Houses.
Number 65. The Alder is not always to be rejected; its branches are
sometimes beautiful and frequently picturesque; and the leaves, when near
the eye, often afford good drawing subjects; though the colouring will not
answer so generally as Hazle, yet when properly introduced with other
colours it may be found valuable. This is one of the little scenes of which
there are so many in the neighbourhood of Ambleside.
Number 66. Hartsope, which is a village, consists of fourteen or fifteen
houses, and is seven miles from Ambleside on the road to Patterdale over
Kirkstone. It is near this place that the carriage and horse roads divide,
meeting again at Goldrill Bridge near the Inn. From the side of Place Fell,
which rises from the horse road just spoken of, there is a variety of fine
views of Patterdale, some of which are brightened by Ullswater. One of the
thirty large prints published in 1808, is from the mountain's side.
Number 67. This Wooden Bridge is over the principal stream flowing through
Great Langdale; Loggan House, (the 35th of this series of prints) is seen
beyond the bridge on the margin of the mountain.
Number 68. The source of the Greta is Leathes Water, from which it runs
through St. John's vale, by Threlkeld to Keswick, and joins the Derwent at
Portinscale. The view of Keswick here given, is from the road to Penrith,
near the Turnpike-gate; the knob on the mountain is called Causey Pike;
that in the same line, but more distant, is Grasmere, which mountain rises
from Crummock Water, but displays the finest line from Lowes Water.
Number 69. The Weir, which causes a supply of water for the town's Corn
Mill, may be observed in this and the preceeding print; and as this view is
up the river, the station to take it from will consequently be nearer
Keswick than that for the former one: the Mill is beyond the building in
ruins.
{index terms = Raven Crag, St John's Castlerigg etc; Thirlmere; Leathes
Water; Newlands Valley; Hindscarth; Goldscope; Newlands Beck; alder; hazel;
Hartsop; road, Kirkstone Pass to Patterdale; Goldrill Bridge; Loggan House;
Greta, River; St John's Beck; Keswick; toll gate; Causey Pike; weir; mill,
Keswick}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 12}
12
Number 70. Coom Gill, on which this building is situated, is engulphed in
fantastic scenery; a water-spout in prodigious volume fell many years ago
on the mountain above, tumbling about rocks and trees in the wildest
confusion, as may be seen by those who wish to visit Coom Gill. There is an
interesting water-fall about half a mile above the Mill, which is two miles
from Rosthwaite, and eight from Keswick.
Number 71. This is one of the cottages of which there are several called
Lane Foot, in Troutbeck (38 is one of them.)
Number 72, and 73, are buildings in Newlands, called Guthersgale. In 73,
the Smelting Mill lately erected by W. E. Sheffield, Esq. is seen in the
distance between a chimney and the young Sycamores. Mr. Sheffield, who
possess an exquisite taste for the fine arts, rents, under the lords of
various manors, copper and lead mines in Cumberland, Westmoreland, and
Lancashire.
Number 74. The relative situation of Skelgill has been before described,
when speaking of the Well, (No.27.)
Number 75. This view is taken on the road from Stonycroft Bridge to
Skelgill.
Number 76. The Ivy House at Rydal is a mile and a quarter from Ambleside,
on the Keswick road. The Lakes of Rydal and Grasmere lie between the eye
and the first range of mountains.
Number 77. This singular erection may be seen from the Exhibition House in
Ambleside, but the view here presented is not from that house, but is taken
higher up in the market-place. Formerly Ambleside chiefly consisted of
pictureque and curious buildings, but it is now annually modernizing.
Number 78. This Plate exhibits one of those new buildings which afford
comforts the proor inhabitants of the picturesque seldom enjoy; but it is
just to observe that the wealthy residents of Ambleside, natives and
strangers, are exceedingly attentive to the wants of the needy, and supply
them with a discrimiinating kindness that does equal honour to their heads
and to their hearts.
{index terms = Coom Gill; rain, Borrowdale; mill, Borrowdale; Guthersgale;
smelt mill, Newlands; Sheffield, W E; sycamore; copper mine; lead mine;
mine; Skelgill; Ivy Cottage, Rydal; Rydal Water; Grasmere lake; Exhibition
House, Ambleside; Ambleside; development, Ambleside}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 18}
18
beautiful when of middle growth; though few trees, in the eye of a painter,
are so interesting as in that stage which is between perfection and decay.
It is in the spring and autumn that we are to look for the benfits of that
arrangement which depends for its excellence on colour. Trees, during the
summer months, are so much of one hue, as to derive beauty from contrasted
form alone. The Sycamore is a majestic tree, but its deep green in summer,
and unpleasant brown in autumn, render it unfit as a principal, where, as
its companions, there are many others of various brilliant tints. Sycamores
are most at home as accompaniments for buildings; and then, when aided by
stately evergreens, the effect of the whole is uniformly grand.
A rich volume of foliage, produced by the union of several trees of the
same sort, must always stand as the principal of a group, if in autumn,
they will probably change to a tint agreeably warm: these must be succeeded
by others of a different kind, and such as will in all likelihood become of
a colder hue than the principal. The warmth must nevertheless be repeated
in smaller masses, and the cold colour proportionately to the end of the
group. Should this or any other comnbination consist of one hundred trees,
it may be of twelve or fifteen kinds. Light evergreens contrast well with
deciduous trees; but dark must be sparingly introduced.
Should there be a place, or places, within the angle of vision, in which
only one, two, or three trees may be necessary, plant more; perhaps a
dozen: but care must be taken that the trees intended to remain will suit
the spot.
Every rock or crag should be planted where planting is practicable, unless
a favourite scene or scenes should be injured by the operation. In the
grounds of Alexander Worswick, Esq. at Leighton Hall, the plants seem to
thrive well by being inserted in the cracks of limestone. In many of the
vallies near Ambleside, we see trees growing out of soil-less rocks in the
midst of green fields; these probably are the productions of nature, but
they may doubtless be raised by art, if on the most favourable part of the
rock an enclosure be effected by a few stones; a genial mould put within
it, and a proper attention paid to watering the roots of the plants until
they have struck into the neighbouring soil. Some will object to this kind
of planting, on account of the tardy growth of trees in such situations,
and the necessary expence incurred for their security against the
depredations of cattle; but surely where so much of ornament and of utility
may eventually be expected, it will doubtless pay the cost, as the fencing
will often be sufficient, if of the cheapest wood that can be obtained.
{index terms = plantation; forestry; sycamore; Leighton Hall; Worswick,
Alexander}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 13}
13
A FEW OBSERVATIONS / WITH RESPECT TO THE MODE IN WHICH / PLANTATIONS OUGHT
TO BE CONDUCTED.
IT were much to be wished that every planter could be convinced that while
he is adding to the general stock of beauty he will in a proportionate
degree grow rich by it.
Every man knows, at least every man of taste knows, that in all frequented
vallies, particularly such as are not only environed by high mountains, but
the bottoms of which are of uneven surfaces, the land will sell for the
most money which is the most beautifully wooded.
To such of his worthy friends in Ambleside, Grasmere, or other parts, as
are here usually called Statemen (i.e. landed Proprietors), the writer with
the greatest good will, offers his advice; in the first place to plant
every part of the wastes on their estates, the corners of some of their
fields, and the rocks and crags where it is too expensive to procure land
by blasting.
There seems to be a predilection here for the Scotch Fir, and the Larch;
but plantations of Firs and of Larches spoil the face of a country; the one
by black patches of deformity, and the other by a green too vivid for
extensive masses: the spiral tops of these trees are likewise
unpicturesque, unless in occasional combination with the round heads.
Where trees will be much seen, plant principally Oak, Ash, and Birch. But
among them introduce sparingly the various sorts of Fir; with Sycamore,
Larch, Black Italian Poplar, Lombardy Poplar, Willow, Alder, &c.
Where it is proposed that utility shall chiefly be attended to, make beauty
take it by the hand; and suppose that for such purpose a square acre is to
be planted, what will be that proportionate distribution which will
probably yield the greatest quantity of each in a given time? Now we will
take it for granted, that if two thousand five hundred plants are to be
introduced on
{index terms = plantation; forestry; scots fir; fir; larch; oak; ash;
birch; sycamore; poplar; black italian poplar; lombardy poplar; willow;
alder}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 14}
14
an acre, the following proportion will be likely to produce the desired
effect, viz. Larch, seven hundred; Black Italian Poplar, five hundred; the
varieties of Fir, four hundred; Oak, two hundred; Ash, two hundred; Birch,
one hundred and fifty; Sycamore, one hundred; Beech, fifty; Spanish
Chestnut, twenty-five; Elm, twenty-five; Lombadry Poplar, twenty-five;
Willow, twenty-five; Alder, twenty-five; Holly, twenty-five; Elder,
twenty-five; Hazle, twenty-five; but should the soil appear inhospitable to
any of the above trees, they must be omitted, and the deficiency supplied
by others.
It is now proper to speak of the distribution of the proposed materials.
The protection of the delicate by the robust and hardy plants, is the first
thing to be attended to; the north and east sides ought to be planted by
the quickest growing and most hardy trees, such as the Black Italian
Poplar, and the Larch, several rows deep; and the beautiful trees
introduced three deep on the south and west sides of the plantation; and,
for the sake of variety, these should be occasionally introduced among
those on the north and east sides: the body of utility is then to be put in
the centre, though sprinkled with beauty in groups of twenty, fifteen, ten,
seven, five, three and single trees.
When thinning is necessary, it must be performed with great care, and with
attention to a variety of objects. In young plantations, after the plants
have come in contact, the beautiful and healthy ones must be encouraged by
ridding them of their worthless neighbours; and a man must ask himself how
he shall annually reduce the quantity in every plantation, so that the
remainder, when of full growth, may be not only beautiful, but valuable?
To know how to plant, but more particularly how to rid, requires attentive
consideration. If a man be a geometrician, he will find benefit by it; and
should his arithmetical powers be at his fingers' ends, he cannot long be
ignorant of the value of any particular tree in any place, and at any given
period of its growth.
One who frequently looks at his plantations with a wish to improve them,
will soon find his mind opened; he will see that the Oak singly, in grand
masses, or in combination with other deciduous, and a moderate proportion
of evergreen trees, will afford him delights he never before dreamed of;
but the perfection of this feeling will be the work of many years; in the
mean time,
{index terms = plantation; forestry; scots fir; fir; larch; oak; ash;
birch; sycamore; poplar; black italian poplar; lombardy poplar; willow;
alder; bech; chestnut; spanish chestnut; elm; holly; elder; hazel;
thinning}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 15}
15
it will be well during every season to produce as much beauty, consistent
with his interest as a timber merchant, as is possible, from the
commencement of his planting, to the grandeur of its maturity.
Whatever the size of the estate may be, there ought to be, at least, as
many trees as acres that are tolerably advanced towards a state of
perfection, and the judicious improver will always take care to have a
succession of younger plants, that he may be enabled to make money, while
he is adding to the celebrity of his possessions; thus causing utility and
beauty to go hand in hand.
As an instruction book for the propogation of trees, the Treatise called
Hints to Planters, written by Francis Dukinfield Astley, Esq. may be safely
recommended; it is a work replete with accurate observation and good sense,
and contains much valuable information in a small compass.
It may be well here to say a little more on planting, particularly to those
gentlemen who have large estates, and who have the inclination to improve
them.
We must consider, first, What is the quantity of land that ought to be
planted, and with what description and number of trees it ought to be
planted, in order to render the estate more valuable at one or more given
periods of time? To ascertain this, it will be advisable to study the
genius of the property, that it may be determined what ratio the quantity
of land for plantations of utility ought to bear to those of beauty.
In a level country, or in one in which the eminences are gentle, there is
less to be done in forming a picture, than in rugged vallies which are
environed by high mountains; but the mountainous district affords, however,
the finest scope for the display of taste and energy.
Of mountain lines, that is best which is higher in the middle than at its
intersection with other mountains; and when it is composed of an agreeable
mixture of the curve and square. Horizontal lines, if of considerable
length, are bad; indeed as are long straight lines, of any description.
Lines in which the same forms too frequently recur are uniformly
disgusting.
The improver, in surveying his materials, will soon be able to discover his
finest mountain line; he must then move in every direction, until he has
found that point where all the intermediate objects combine with it in the
best possible manner: In this way he must likewise avail himself of every
other beautiful station the land will afford him, from all which, if
required, it will be easy
{index terms = plantation; forestry; Astley, Francis Dukinfield; Hints to
Planters}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 16}
16
to select the most desirable situation for a house; but whether for
building, or as a stand for beauty, no bearing, not even an easterly one,
is to be neglected.
When he has thus become possessed of the most desirable points, he will
return to and of course describe them, beginning with the best, which is to
be marked as No.1, gradually descending to the one least worthy of his
attention.
It is presumed, in every instance, that an eye to what might be done by
planting as an improvement, has as much engaged the original attention of
the improver, as in its present state the scene before him engages it.
Of a great circle it is said, that sixty degrees is the favourable quantity
of vision; but perhaps beauty is sometimes seen under greater angle, and
the subject at one stand may be interesting for half a circle; in such a
case it must be ascertained if improvement can be produced by dividing. The
introduction of many trees may effect this; but should such interruption to
the general view take place, it must be so performed as to hide those parts
which are least valuable, and as much as possible contribute to the beauty
of the new arrangement.
When the best points are discovered, it will then be proper to examine the
materials of which the scenes viewed from them are composed, and to take
away, or add, as the judgment shall direct. Wood, however, musts be felled
with a very sparing hand, particularly in those places where there is
already too little. Even from the best situation, should a tree offensively
obtrude itself upon the eye, thereby obscuring some favourite object, it
wil be proper to consider in what degree all other stands, from which that
tree may be seen, would be affected by its removal, and a balance of loss
and gain deduced from that consideration.
If in a situation hiding nothing good, an ugly tree should present itself,
that tree ought not rashly to be destroyed, particularly if its top be
fine; for by planting others near it, it may become a useful appendage to
the scene.
If from various stands there appear upon the premises unpleasant lines of
wood, those lines must either be broken by occasional thinning, or be
partially planted out, should such planting be practicable; but this, as
before, must be carefully done, and, as in the instance of single trees,
these unpleasant lines must be examined from every point where they can be
seen.
That which is a straight or a monotonous line from one point, may, owing to
a variety of circumstances, be good from another point.
If the situation is elevated, and the space between the eye and the extent
of property considerable, much may be done in aid of
{index terms = plantation; forestry}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 17}
17
the distance, whatever materials it be composed of. Every eminence, whether
of rock or of soil, must be consulted, and be planted, if the picture
require it: It is upon these hillocks that unpleasant objects are to be cut
off; the lower grounds must likewise be decorated with groups of trees, of
various sizes, and as various sorts: to complete the picture, trees must
arise in massy grandeur, near the eye; and, in some instances, encircle the
station, so that the composition may be seen either from within, or on the
outside of the adjacent wood.
Before any trees are planted, the ground must be staked out, encircling the
plots allotted for the groups of trees, and describing the line which is
proposed to separate the side screens from the field land.
In some instances the side scenery of different stations may be united;
and, if apparently more beneficial, several of the lesser enclosures laid
together.
We will now suppose that, by destroying and thinning, deformity has been in
some sort transformed into beauty; and that, by the proposed planting, the
various prospects will be rendered, in a series of years, much finer than
in their present state. It is now proper to consider the necessary depth of
the screens, and of what materials they ought to be composed.
For the beauty of every individual scene, the groups of trees in the
screens are not required to be deep, but massy, and composed of the most
interesting trees; and these ought to be so arranged that they will, in all
probablity, when grown, compose in an elegant manner. No tree equals the
Oak, for the grandeur of its ramifications, and the massy beauty of its
foliage; and, as a principal, it is superior to any other tree;
particuclarly on account of its colour in spring and autumn: the only
objection to it is the slowness of its growth. The greatest possible care,
however, must be taken, to plant such trees, whether quick or slow of
growth, as are not only suitable to the soil, but will most materially add
to the majesty of the scene, when arrived at their full age: and, as it is
a desirable object to do much in a little time, it will be well to plant,
with all such trees, various rapid growers; and as the latter become
troublesome or useless, they will of course be taken out of the grounds, to
make room for their more valuable neighbours.
Oak, Ash, Birch, Sycamore, English Elm, and Spanish Chestnut, are grand
trees, when arrived at maturity; and are beautiful at all ages. Ancient
Firs, Yews, and Larches, are sublime objects; but the Poplar and Willow
tribe are generally most
{index terms = plantation; forestry; thinning; larch; oak; ash; birch;
sycamore; elm; ; fir; poplar; willow}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 19}
19
A road, the continuation of which is an avenue of trees, impresses the mind
with ideas of grandeur, especially if that avenue be composed of aged Oaks,
Elms, or Sycamores: the grandeur will be best preserved where the trees are
all of the same kind. This idea has superseded the Brunonian system, which
abolished all straight lines. If, in an estate, it is intended to make an
avenue, it must be in that part of it where nothing is to be attempted by
the grouping of trees: for grandeur of the description here spoken of,
cannot be combined with the beautiful.
A plantation of evergreens, if properly managed, will ultimately produce an
excellent effect: but the man who would make the most of such materials,
must do it by considerable study. He ought to know the name of every
distinct tree, and the soil requisite for its most advantageous culture; he
must likewise, from repeated experiment, average the growth of every
individual tree, by periods of ten years each, ending with one hundred
years. Finally, he must, if practicable, make accurate coloured drawings of
all these trees, at the periods above mentioned, and all on the same scale.
Having furnished himself with the necessary information, and having a
painter's eye, he will presently see how to make the best advantage of it.
After an estate is planted, the future business will be to make the best
use of that planting. All Favourites, particularly those in interesting
situations, ought to be encouraged, by that kind of attention which will
produce rapid growth. The eye that has acquired taste, by long observation,
will always be aware where thinning may be advantageously performed; and
will never proceed to indiscriminate extermination.
There are lands in the vicinity of the lakes, which, after they had been
judiciously thinned, and after the proprietors had pocketed thousands in
consequence, would probably sell for more money than they would in their
present state: of this description are several lands round Derwent Water;
such is the Greenwich-Hospital estate; the Water-End estate, the property
of Lord William Gordon; and that of Mr. Stephenson, at Lowdore.
There is not so much of redundancy on Mr. Pocklington's grounds, though
some of them would be benefitted by reducing the quantity of wood.
Castlerigg, near Keswick, is a divine situation; and Derwent Park, where it
adjoins the common, is scarcely to be equalled. What an accumulation of
money would there be to the veteran tars of Old England if one half of the
wood under Wallow Crag was cut away; not by beginning at the park, and
ending in a straight line half way between the park and Barrow Common:
{index terms = plantation; forestry; avenues; oak; elm; sycamore; Greenwich
Hospital; Water End; Gordon, William, Lord; Stephenson, Mr; Lowdore;
Pocklington, Joseph; Castlerigg; Derwent Park; Wallow Crag; Barrow Common}
{title- Green's Studies from Nature, 1809, page 20}
20
no; such spots ought to be sacred; and not contaminated by barbarity and
ignorance. Several foot paths ought to be made between Castlerigg and
Barrow Common through the woods under Wallow Crag; which might be done, and
well done too, with one fifteenth the sum that would be acquired by
rendering these walks the most beautiful in England.
Water-End has long been under the superintendance of its proprietor. The
house, which is of one story only, is peculiarly adapted to its situation;
and the grounds about it are exquisite and have been attended to with great
feeling, as being the component parts of many fine pictures: the extensive
woods on the banks of the lake, belonging to his Lordship, require
thinning: the vale of Keswick would be wonderfully beautified by the aid of
the axe properly applied.
The trees about Lowdore are in too great profusion: to take one half of
them away would be much to improve this deservedly admired place. The chasm
through which the river passes, is immense; and therefore the fall of water
is generally subdivided and obscured: the course of the stream ought to be
conducted on the western side of the chasm, to the part of the rock which
is nearest to the mill, from the summit of which it would tumble, in one
grand unbroken sheet, down the channel below; and thereby be rendered the
most splendid waterfall among the lakes.
FINIS.
LONDON: PRINTED BY J. BARFIELD, WARDOUR-STREET.
{index terms = plantation; forestry; Castlerigg; Barrow Common; Wallow
Crag; Water End; Vale of Keswick; Lodore; Lodore Falls; Barfield, J;
colophon}