AND SUBORDINATION. &f 79 



retarded ; whilst, on the contrary, a considerable growth of 

 their side-branches and branchlets is a check on these lead- 

 ing branches. 



These facts are strikingly seen in the landscape physiog- 

 nomy of certain trees. In the Lombardy Poplar (Populus 

 dilatata\ the main stem or axis takes a maximum develop- 

 ment, and the branches are consequently reduced to a mini- 

 mum, so that the whole tree, when viewed from a distance, 

 resembles a vast spindle. In other trees, however, such as 

 the Horse-Chestnut ((Esculus hippocastanum) and the Lin- 

 den (Tilia Americana), the branches make an equally power- 

 ful growth with the primary axis or stem, and this prevents 

 its elongation. Hence, the main axis or stem is hardly dis- 

 tinguishable from the branches. When uninjured by 

 storms or artificial pruning, the branches of these trees 

 usually spread out equally on all sides, and their top or 

 head is dome-shaped or hemispherical. For this reason 

 these trees make a fine appearance on a lawn or park, in 

 addition to the recommendation of perfect shade which 

 they afford. 



Now this competition amongst the leading branches of 

 a tree with their subordinate branchlets and shoots, for sap 

 and sunlight, is a truthful illustration of that struggle for 

 pre-eminence and for the good things of this life, which is 

 perpetually going on through all the ramifications of so- 

 ciety. In this respect, rich and poor, employer and em- 

 ployed, meet on terms of equality. Both have hard times; 

 for there is as much competition amongst the great leading 

 branches or master minds of our communities as between 

 their subordinates the branchlets and little twigs; and 

 the result is that the man who gives employment to hun- 

 dreds of hands and counts his dollars by thousands, is not 

 unfrequently as hard pushed to meet his numerous obliga- 

 tions as the workman whom he employs. It is the nature 

 of man to seek for power, to struggle for pre-eminence in 

 the profession or branch of labor to which he devotes him- 

 self. This produces competition, and as, from the very 

 nature of things, it is impossible that all should be success- 

 ful, each physician and lawyer, manufacturer, merchant, 



