THE ELM. 15 



naked trunk, which mode of rearing de- 

 ftroys its beauty, though it better fits it for 

 a particular ufe. In this flate it is very 

 common in hedge-rows, efpecially in the 

 neighbourhood of London. Elms are not 

 frequent in woods or forefts, but are gene- 

 rally planted in avenues or in other artificial 

 lituations. The diverlity in the form and 

 lite of elms is agreeably Iketched by Cow- 

 per, the poet, who, of all others, viewed 

 natural objects with moft tafie and cor- 

 reclnefs. He firft mentions them a? 

 growing by the river's fide. 



There, faft rooted in his bank 



Stand, never overlooked, our favourite elms 

 That fcreen the herdfman's folitary hut. 



Tajk, b. i. 



Then they are feen encircling a cot- 

 tage upon a hill. 



'Tis perch'd upon the green-hill top, but clofe 



Eaviron'd with a ring of branching elms 



That overhang the thatch. Ib. 



Next, they form a walk or avenue. 



The grove receives us next ; 



Between the upright (hafts of whofe tall elms 

 We may difcern the threfher at his talk. Ib. 



He 



