356 OCTOBER. 



other and better names for glory and power. 

 The vine, the olive, and the fig-tree are made 

 imperishable symbols of peace, plenty, and 

 festivity. David in his psalms, Solomon in his 

 songs and proverbs, the Prophets in the sub- 

 lime outpourings of their awful inspiration, and 

 Christ in his parables, those most beautiful and 

 perfect of all allegories, luxuriate in signs and 

 similes drawn from the fair trees of the East. 



In the earlier ages of Europe, Kings were 

 crowned, councils were held, and justice dis- 

 pensed beneath the shade of some noble trees. 

 From the shadow of an oak was Christianity 

 first proclaimed in these realms; in a more 

 recent day of our dear and noble country, 

 the willows of Pope and Johnson, the mul- 

 berry of Shakspeare, and that of Milton, have 

 associated those great names with the love of 

 trees and of planting. Many noble works of 

 our illustrious countrymen it would be easy 

 to mention, that have been written, and more 

 than one of our most distinguished living au- 

 thors, who delights to compose amid the in- 

 spiring grace and freshness and purity of trees. 

 John Evelyn spent a considerable portion of a 

 valuable life in endeavouring to communicate 

 his admiration of trees and forests, and besides 



