TREES, EVERGREENS, AND SHRUBS. 17 



lime wall was built, and road and footpath alike were 

 macadamised or paved with little hard stones, the grass 

 pared off, the golden whins dug up, and the once rural 

 country road turned into as dull and uninteresting a high- 

 way as ever road-contractor rejoiced in. There may be situa- 

 tions where even a fine tree is in the wrong place, and 

 must be removed — if too close to the dwelling, or where it 

 closes up a fine view, or where too crowded upon other 

 trees ; but in general, the enjoyment as well as the beauty 

 of a small place is greatly enhanced by large trees. 



" And ye are strong to shelter all meek things ; 

 All that need home and covert, love your shade ; 

 Birds of shy song, and low-voiced quiet springs, 

 And nun-like violets, by the wind betray'd." 



Few in number they must necessarily be, and often in 

 the way, it may be thought, of flower-plots ; but, to such 

 things, who that has either eye or heart would sacrifice a 

 horse-chestnut, with its sno\^"y spikes ; a beech, with its gray, 

 lichen-covered stem, and its leaves, alike beautiful in their 

 tender downy greenness of spring, or in the red and yellow 

 glory of autumn ; a wild cherry, with its wreaths of blos- 

 som, and its crimson brightness in decay ; or a slender 

 silvery birch, trembling to every breeze, and covering the 

 ground with leaves of gold when autumn winds strip its 

 sprays, leaving them almost as beautiful in their winter 

 bareness as when covered by their fragrant summer foliage ? 



There is no season when trees are not a source of pleasure, 

 varied and unwearied. You may have but one of each 

 kind, and you may think you know that one well, but 



