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Some of the fineft oppofitions of tint, which 

 perhaps the foreft can furnifh, arife from the 

 union of oak, and beech. We often fee a 

 wonderful effect from this combination. And 

 yet accommodating as it's leaf is in landfcape, 

 on handling, it feels as if it were fabricated 

 with metallic rigour. In it's autumnal ftate 

 it almoft crackles : 



Leni crepitabat braftea vento. 



For this reafon, I fuppofe, as it's rigour gives 

 it an elaftic quality, the common people in 

 France, and Switzerland ufe it for their beds. 



I have dwelt the longer on the beech, as 

 notwithftanding my fe verity, it is a tree of 

 picturefque fame ; and I did not chufe to 

 condemn, without giving my reafons. It has 

 acquired it's reputation, I fuppofe, chiefly from 

 it's having a peculiar character ; and this, with 

 all it's defects, it certainly has. I may add 

 alfo, that if objects receive merit from their 

 affociated, as well as from their intrinfic 

 qualities, the dry foil, and falubrious air, in 

 which the beech generally flourishes, give it 

 a high degree of eftimation. 



Nearly 



