Trees of a conic shape mixed with Gothic buildings displease, from their affinity with the prevalent lines of the architecture; since the play of light and shadow in Gothic structures must proceed from those bold projections, either of towers or buttresses, which cause strong shadows in a perpendicular direction: at the same time, the horizontal line of roof is broken into an irregular surface, by the pinnacles, turrets, and battlements, that form the principal enrichment of Gothic architecture; which becomes, therefore, peculiarly adapted to those situations, where the shape of the ground occasionally hides the lower part of the building, while its roof is relieved by trees, whose forms contrast with those of the Gothic outline. As this observation is new, and may, perhaps, be thought too fanciful, I must appeal to the eye, by the help of the plate No. VII. [our figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19], which I hope will find that my observation is not wholly chimerical; and will, consequently, lay the foundation for this general principle; viz. that the lines of Gothic buildings are contrasted with round-headed trees; or, as John Milton observes,- "Towers and battlements he sees, Embosom'd high in tufted trees;" and that those of the Grecian will accord either with round or conic trees; but, if the base be hid, the contrast of the latter will be most pleasing.
