AMENTIFEU7R. 185 



stem, as Gilpin observes, is generally marked with brown, yellow, or silvery touches, 

 wliicli arc peculiarly picturesque, as tlicy are characteristic objects of imitation for 

 the pencil, and as they contrast agreeably with the dark green hue of the foliage. 



Ancient poets do not appear to have sung the praises of the birch, though it is men- 

 tioned by most of the modern poets. Shenstone introduces it in his " Schoolmistress," 

 when alluding to the birchen rods : — 



" And all in sight doth raise a birchen tree, 



Wliich Learning near her little dome did stow ; 



Whilome a twig of small regard to see. 



Though now so wide, its waving branches flow, 



And work the simple vassal's mickle love ; 



For not a wind might curl the leaves that blew, 



But their limbs shuddered, and their pulse beat low, 

 And as they look'd they found their horror grew, 

 And shaped it into rods, and tingled at the view." 



Phillips says : — 



" Even afflictive birch, 

 Cursed by unlettered youth, distils 

 A limpid current from her wounded back, 

 Profuse of nursing sap." 



And Leyden : — 



" Sweet bii'd of the meadow, soft be thy rest; 

 Thy mother will wake thee at morn from thy nest ; 

 She has made a soft nest, Httle redbreast, for thee. 

 Of the leaves of the birch, and the moss of the tree." 



The "birks of Invermay " aspire to the interest of classic gi'ound, and the verse.s 

 by Burns, in which the following lines occur, are well known : — 



" Now simmer blinks on flowery braes, 

 And o'er the crystal streamlet plays. 

 Come, let us spend the Hghtsome days 

 In the birks of Aberfeldy. 



Bonnie lassie, will ye go 



To the birks of Aberfeldy ? 



While o'er their heads the hazels hii^g, 

 The little birdies blythely sing. 

 Or lightly flit on wanton wing 

 In the birks of Aberfeldy. 

 Bonnie lassie, &c. 



The braes ascend like lofty wa's. 

 The foaming stream deep roaring fa's, 

 O'erhung wi' fragrant spreading shaws, 

 The birks of Aberfeldy. 

 Bonnie lassie, &c. 

 VOL. VIII. B B 



