button to main menu  Wordsworth's Guide 1810, edn 1835
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page 84
ought to be disposed in planting. But to this subject, I should attach little importance, if I could succeed in banishing such trees as introduce deformity, and could prevail upon the proprietor to confine himself, either to those found in the native woods, or to such as accord with them. This is, indeed, the main point; for, much as these scenes have been injured by what has been taken from them - buildings, trees, and woods, either through negligence, necessity, avarice, or caprice - it is not the removals, but the harsh additions that have been made, which are the worst grievance - a standing and unavoidable annoyance. Often have I felt this distinction, with mingled satisfaction and regret; for, if no positive deformity or discordance be substituted or super-induced, such is the benignity of Nature, that, take away from her beauty after beauty, and ornament after ornament, her appearance cannot be marred - the scars, if any be left, will gradually disappear before a healing spirit; and what remains will still be soothing and pleasing. -

"Many hearts deplored
The fate of those old trees; and oft with pain
The traveller at this day will stop and gaze
On wrongs which nature scarcely seems to heed:
For sheltered places, bosoms, nooks, and bays,
And the pure mountains, and the gentle Tweed,
And the green silent pastures, yet remain."
There are few ancient woods left in this part of England upon which such indiscriminate
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