( '34 ) 



building obelilks, columns, and monuments 

 of various kinds around it, engraved with their 

 arms, and names, to which the dates were 

 added, and often fome device. Mr. Evelin*, 

 who procured copies of feveral of thefe monu- 

 mental infcriptions, tells us, there were near 

 two hundred of them. The columns on which 

 they were fixed, ferved alfo to bear up the 

 vafl limbs of the tree, which began through 

 age to become unweildly. Thus this mighty 

 plant flood many years in great flate, the 

 ornament of the town, the admiration of the 

 country, and fupported, as it were, by the 

 princes of the empire. At length it felt the 

 effects of war. Nieflad was furrounded by 

 an enemy, and the limbs of this venerable 

 tree were mangled in wantonnefs by the be- 

 lieging troops. Whether it flill exifl, I know 

 not: but long after thefe injuries, it flood a 

 noble ruin, difcovering by the foundations of 

 the feveral monuments, which formerly prop- 

 ped it's fpreading boughs, how far it's limits 

 had once extended. 



* See Ev. Sylva, page 225, 



A plane 



