THE BEECH. 147 



Nor will there be any difficulty in discovering the propriety 

 of grafting the Beech on the Chestnut, the oily though 

 smaller nut of the former being considered by the ancients 

 much more valuable than the farinaceous nut of the latter. 



On the whole, therefore, the readiest solution of the 

 difficulty is, that Csesar did not penetrate into any part 

 of the island where Beeches were abundant, and that 

 the woods, to which he tells us the Britons retired to 

 escape from their invaders, were composed of trees which 

 admitted a more luxuriant growth of underwood than this 

 unsociable tree ever allows. 



London states that it is a native of the temperate parts 

 of Europe, from the south of Norway to the Mediterranean 

 Sea, and from England to Constantinople. It is also 

 found in Palestine, Asia Minor, and other parts of Asia. 

 In Switzerland it occupies the south sides of the moun- 

 tains which have their north sides clothed with the Silver 

 Fir. In England it grows most luxuriantly, and in the 

 greatest abundance in the chalk districts, forming extensive 

 forests of great magnificence and beauty. It is not indi- 

 genous to Scotland or Ireland. It is the national tree 

 of Denmark, and in the neighbourhood of Elsinore 

 nourishes in superlative vigour. 



The Beech was particularly admired by the ancients, who 

 luxuriated in the lofty canop} 7 afforded by its dense foliage. 

 In modern times, its claims to the possession of picturesque 

 beauty have been disputed on high authority ; for while 

 Gilbert White speaks most warmly in its praise, Gilpin 

 expresses a very different opinion. However painters may 

 differ, the Beech is a noble tree in nature beautiful, as 

 delineated by the hand of the Creator, however difficult it 

 may be for the painter to represent it with the pencil in 

 such a way as to produce a pleasing effect on the mind. 

 And it is a tree which has many points of interest about it 

 at all seasons of the year. Enter a grove of Beeches on 

 a bright day in mid- winter; the mind is immediately 

 engaged in meditating on the still solemnity that reigns 



H2 



