RELATIONS OF TREES TO POETRY. 341 



Connected with this custom was the idea that the fate 

 of the child was mysteriously associated with that of 

 the natal tree, which created the strongest motives, 

 arising from parental affection, to preserve the tree, 

 and on the part of the child to protect it when he at- 

 tained his manhood. Nothing is more evident than the 

 beneficial tendency of all these superstitions, at an early 

 age of the world, when men were not wise enough to be 

 governed by the principles of reason and science. 



The ancients placed the Naiad and her fountain 

 in the shady arbor of trees, whose foliage gathers the 

 waters of heaven into her fount and preserves them from 

 dissipation. From their dripping shades she distributed 

 the waters which she garnered from the skies over the 

 plain and the valley; and the husbandman, before he 

 learned the marvels of science, worshipped the beneficent 

 Naiad, who drew the waters of her fountain from heaven, 

 and from her sanctuary in the forest showered them upon 

 the arid glebe, and gave new verdure to the plain. After 

 science had explained to us the law by which these sup- 

 plies of moisture are preserved by the trees, the Naiad 

 still remained a sacred theme of poetry. We would not 

 remove the drapery of foliage that protects her fountain, 

 nor drive her into exile by the destruction of the trees, 

 through which she holds mysterious commerce with the 

 skies, and preserves our fields from drought. 



Evelyn says : " Innumerable are the testimonies I might 

 produce concerning the inspiring and sacred influence 

 of groves from the ancient poets and historians. Here 

 the noblest raptures have been conceived; and in the 

 walks and shades of trees poets have composed verses 

 which have animated men to glorious and heroic actions. 

 Here orators have made their panegyrics, historians their 

 grave relations; and here profound philosophers have 

 .ioved to pass their lives in repose and contemplation." 



