20 THE CHEONICLES OF A GARDEN. 



scape in the eyes of the ordinary observer ; for the form, 

 the characteristic form, of each tree is then seen, and 

 whether it be the united strength and grace of the ash, 

 the hardy gnarled endurance of the oak, the sheltering 

 feathery spread of the beech, or the light playfulness of 

 the birch, 



" Arching like a fountain shower," 



each has a claim on our admiration ; while there still 

 lingers enough of colour in the bark, varied from a pur- 

 pled hue to a silvery gray, and marbled, it may be, with 

 moss and lichens, to arrest even an unartistic eye. Nor 

 does a fall of snow deprive our home landscape of these 

 beauties ; for the contrast between the trees, as they 

 bend beneath or bear up under their featliery burden, is 

 more clearly defined — the evergreens, especially the firs, 

 wdth their massy flakes of snow standing out so nobly 

 among the bare stems and leafless branches. Even in that 

 universally disHked weather, a thick November fog, I have 

 seen the leafless trees assume a certain grandeur, like giant 

 skeletons looming through the mist, and breaking up the 

 dull uniformity spread over the landscape. Not unfre- 

 quently, also, does a sudden frost come on during the 

 night, and lo ! the morning light shews all the trees spark- 

 ling as with diamonds, the heavy dripping moisture changed 

 to brilliant jewels, — meet emblem of the depressing trials 

 of the Christian, meekly and nobly borne, ofttimes changed 

 to blessings, and " the garment of praise," given for " the 

 spirit of heaviness." 



