The larch we have in England, compared 

 with the larch of the Alps, is a diminutive 

 plant. It is little more than the puny inhabitant 

 of a garden ; or the embellimment of fome 

 trifling artificial fcene. The characters of 

 grand and noble feldom belong to it. It is 

 however an elegant tree; tho, in our foil at 

 leaft, too formal in it's growth. Among it's 

 native fteeps it's form, no doubt, is fully 

 pi6turefque ; when the ftorms of many a 

 century have fhattered it's equal fides ; and 

 given contraft and variety to it's boughs. 



From deciduous trees, we proceed to ever- 

 greens. Of thefe the cedar of Lebanon claims 

 our firft notice. To it preeminence belongs $ 

 not only on account of its own dignity; 

 but on account of the refpeftable mention, 

 which is every where made of it in fcripture. 

 Solomon fpake of trees from the cedar of 

 Lebanon^ to the hyffop that fpringeth out of the 

 wall: that is, from the greateft to the leaft. 

 The eaftern writers are indeed the prin- 

 cipal fources, from whom we are to obtain 

 the true character of the cedar; as it is an 



eaftern 



