In some places belonging to ancient noble families, it is not uncommon to see woods of vast extent intersected by vistas and glades in many directions; this is particularly the case at BURLEY and at CASHIOBURY. It is the property of a straight glade or vista to lead the eye to the extremity of a wood, without attracting the attention to its depth. I have occasionally been required to fell great quantities of timber, from other motives than merely to improve the landscape; and in some instances this work of necessity has produced the most fortunate improvements. I do not hesitate to say, that some woods might be increased five-fold in apparent quantity, by taking away a prodigious number of trees, which are really lost to view; but unless such necessity existed, there is more difficulty and temerity in suggesting improvement by cutting down, however profitable, and however suddenly the effect is produced, than by planting, though the latter be tedious and expensive.
