Trees in Towns and Villages 351 



diers sweep away ranks of men with as little compunction 

 as the mower swings his harmless scythe in a meadow; and 

 settlers, pioneers, and squatters, girdle and make a clearing 

 in a centennial forest, perhaps one of the grandest that ever 

 God planted, with no more remorse than we have in brush- 

 ing away dusty cobwebs. We are not now about to de- 

 claim against war, as a member of the peace society, or 

 against planting colonies and extending the human family, 

 as would a disciple of Dr. Malthus. These are probably 

 both wise means of progress in the hands of the Great 

 Worker. 



But it is properly our business to bring men back to their 

 better feelings when the fever of destruction is over. If 

 our ancestors found it wise and necessary to cut down vast 

 forests, it is all the more needful that their descendants 

 should plant trees. We shall do our part, therefore, towards 

 awakening again that natural love of trees which this long 

 warfare against them - - this continual laying the axe at 

 their roots - - so common in a new country, has in so many 

 places well nigh extinguished. We ought not to cease till 

 every man feels it to be one of his moral duties to become a 

 planter of trees; until every one feels, indeed, that, if it is 

 the most patriotic thing that can be done to make the earth 

 yield two blades of grass instead of one, it is far more so to 

 cause trees to grow where no foliage has waved and flut- 

 tered before - - trees, which are not only full of usefulness 

 and beauty always, but to which old Time himself grants 

 longer leases than he does to ourselves; so that he who 

 plants them wisely, is more certain of receiving the thanks 

 of posterity than the most persuasive orator or the most 

 prolific writer of his day and generation. 



The especial theme of our lamentation touching trees at 

 the present moment is the general neglect and inattention 

 to their many charms, in country towns and villages. We 

 say general, for our mind dwells with unfeigned delight 

 upon exceptions -- many beautiful towns and villages in 

 New England, where the verdure of the loveliest elms waves 

 like grand lines of giant and graceful plumes above the 



