Clumps when close are sometimes called Thickets, and when open Groups of Trees. They differ only in extent from a wood, if they are close, or from a grove, if they are open; they are small woods, and small groves, governed by the same principles as the larger, after allowances made for their dimensions. But besides the properties they may have in common with woods, or with groves, they have others peculiar to themselves. They are either independent or relative; when independent, their beauty as single objects is solely to be attended to; when relative, the beauty of the individuals must be sacrificed to the effect of the whole, which is the greater consideration. The least clump that can be, is of two trees; and the best effect they can have, is, that their heads united should appear one large tree; two, therefore, of different species, or seven or eight of such shapes as do not easily join, can hardly be a beautiful group, especially if it have a tendency to a circular form. Such clumps of firs, though very common, are seldom pleasing; they do not compose one mass, but are only a confused number of pinnacles.

The confusion is, however, avoided by placing them in succession, not in clusters; and a clump of such trees is therefore more agreeable when it is extended rather in length than in breadth.

Three trees together must form either a right line or a triangle; to disguise the regularity, the distances should be very different. Distinctions in their shapes contribute also to the same end; nnd variety in their growths still more. When a straight line consists of two trees nearly similar, and of a third much lower than they are, the even direction in which they stand is hardly discernible.

If humbler growths at the extremity-can discompose the strictest regularity, the use of it is thereby recommended upon other occasions. It is, indeed, the variety peculiarly proper for clumps: every apparent artifice affecting the objects of nature, disgusts; and clumps are such distinguished objects, so liable to the suspicion of having been left or placed on purpose to be so distinguished, that, to divert the attention from these symptoms of art, irregularity in the composition is more important to them, than to a wood or to a grove. Being also less extensive, they do not admit so much variety of outline; but variety of growths is most observable in a small compass, and the several gradations may often be cast into beautiful figures.

The extent and the outline of a wood or a grove, engage the attention more than the extremities; but in clumps these last are of the most consequence; they determine the form of the whole, and both of them are generally in sight: great care should therefore be taken to make them agreeable and different. The case with which they may be compared, forbids all similarity between them; for every appearance of equality suggests an idea of art, and therefore a clomp as broad as it is long, seems less the work of nature than one which stretches into length.

Another peculiarity of clumps is the facility with which they admit a mixture of trees and of shrubs, of wood and of grow; in short, of every species of plan-tation. None are more beautiful than those which are so composed. Such compositions are, however, more proper in compact than in straggling clumps-; they are most agreeable when they form one mass. If the transitions from very lofty to very humble growths, from thicket to open plantations, be frequent and sudden, the disorder is more suited to rude than to elegant scenes.

The occasions on which independent clumps may be applied are many. They are often desirable as beautiful objects in themselves; they are sometimes necessary to break an extent of lawn, or a continued line, whether of ground or of plantation; but on all occasions, a jealousy of art constantly attends them, which irregularity in their figure will not always alone remove. Though elevations show them to advantage, yet a hillock evidently thrown up on purpose to be crowned with a clump, is artificial to a degree of disgust; some of the trees should therefore be planted on the sides to take off that appearance. The same expedient may be applied to clumps placed on the brow of a hill, to interrupt its sameness; they will have less ostentation of design if they are in part carried down either declivity.

A line of clumps, if the intervals be closed by others beyond them, has the appearance of a wood, or of a grove; and in one respect the semblance has an advantage over the reality in different points of view; the relations between the clumps are changed, and a variety of forms is produced, which no continued wood or grove, however broken, can furnish. These forms cannot all be equally agreeable, and too anxious a solicitude to make them everywhere pleasing, may, perhaps, prevent their being ever beautiful.

The effect must often be left to chance, but it should be studiously consulted from a few principal points of view; and it is easy to make any recess, any prominence, any figure in the outline, by clumps thus advancing before, or retiring behind one another." - Whateley.