( 34 ) 



I have dwelt the longer on the oak, as it is 

 confefledly both the moft pidurefque tree in 

 itfelf; and the moft accommodating in compo- 

 lition. It refufes no fubject either in natural, 

 or in artificial landfcape. It is fuited to the 

 grandeft; and may with propriety be intro- 

 duced into the moft paftoral. It adds new 

 dignity to the ruined tower, and Gothic arch : 

 by ftretching it's wild, mofs-grown branches 

 athwart their ivyed-walls it gives them a kind 

 of majefty coeval with itfelf: at the fame time 

 it's propriety is ftill preferved, if it throw it's 

 arms over the purling brook, or the mantling 

 pool, where it beholds 



It's reverend image in the expanfe below. 



Milton introduces it happily even in the loweft 

 fcene. 



Hard by a cottage chimney fmokes 

 From between two aged oaks. 



After the oak, let us examine the am. 

 This tree in point of utility, is little inferior 

 to the oak. It's ufes are infinite. To the 

 amen fpear the heroes of antiquity were in- 

 debted 



