126 THE PLANT WORLD. 



think, in the great gale of 1815. I remembered its stump with a cer- 

 tain reverence. On the opposite side of the Common stood the Wash- 

 ington Elm, now senile, and soon to be the father and god-father of 

 innumerable canes, picture frames, and other relics. North of that 

 stood a fair, outspread tree which from its form I always called the 

 ' coral fan ' and beyond that another, handsome but inconspicuous. 

 These trees entered into my young life as truly as the milk that made its 

 blood. Why should I not love their memory and linger over it ?" 

 The love for the old elms to which Holmes gives expression is 

 just as strong in the hearts of the people of Cambridge now as ever 

 and is not likely to wane. Time widens the influence and what may 

 at one titne have been a local sentiment, has now become a national 

 one. No one who knows the history of the Washington Elm can look 

 upon it without feelings of deep love and reverence for the venerable 

 tree. 



For many years the tree has shown the ravages of age. It was 

 towards the close of its vigorous life at the time of the Revolution. 

 No doubt it would have been gone long since had not great pains 

 been taken to repair any damage as far as possible and to brace with 

 supports its weakened trunk. There are now planted in the Common 

 near the old tree several direct descendants of it and when it falls, as 

 fall it must, others will take its place. The memory of the original 

 tree should be preserved, however, for it was "under this tree Wash- 

 ington took command of the American army, July 3, 1775." Probably 

 no tree has been more potent to arouse patriotic feelings in the hearts 

 of men. 



Cornell University, March 30, 1899. 



