OCTOBER. 295 



they are to us. We have the varied whole of their 

 sentiments, feelings, and fancies, bequeathed as an 

 immortal legacy, and combined and concentrated 

 for our gratification and advantage ; besides the 

 innumerable pleasures which modern art has thrown 

 to the accumulated wealth of all antiquity. Botany 

 has introduced us to a more intimate acquaintance 

 with the names and characters, and with something 

 also of the physical economy, of both " the trees 

 of the wood" and of the smallest plants which 

 flourish at their feet; so that wherever we cast our 

 eyes, we behold matter for both admiration and 

 research. 



What can be more beautiful than trees ? their 

 lofty trunks, august in their simplicity, asserting to 

 the most inexperienced eye their infinite superiority 

 over the imitative pillars of man's pride ! their 

 graceful play of w r ide-spreading branches ! and all 

 the delicate and glorious machinery of buds, leaves, 

 flowers, and fruit, that with more than magical 

 effect burst forth, from naked and rigid twigs, with 

 all the rich and brilliant, and unimaginably varied 

 colours under heaven ; breathing delectable odours, 

 pure, and fresh, and animating ; pouring out spices 

 and medicinal essences ; and making music, from 

 the softest and the most melancholy undertones to 

 the full organ-peal of the tempest. I wonder not 

 that trees have commanded the admiration of men 

 in all nations and periods of the W 7 orld. What is 

 the richest country without trees ? What barren 

 and monotonous spot can they not convert into a 



