222 SYLVAN WINTER. 



be seen from the following instance : " An acorn 

 was sown at Beckett, the seat 'of Lord Barrington, 

 on the day of his birth in 1717. In November, 

 1790, it contained ninety-five feet of timber, 

 which at 2s. per foot would sell for 91. 10s. The 

 top was valued at about I/. 15s. The girth, at 

 five feet from the ground, w^as about half an inch 

 more than eight feet. The increase of girth in 

 the two last years was 4J inches. It grows in 

 rich land, worth 11. 5s. an acre." ' * 



Keferring to the qualities of its timber, Gilpin 

 proceeds : ' The particular, and most valued 

 qualities of the Oak are hardness and toughness. 

 Shakespeare uses two epithets to express these 

 qualities, which are perhaps stronger than any we 

 can find. 



" Thou rather with thy sharp and sulph'rous bolt 

 Split'st the unwedgedble and gnarled Oak, 

 Than the soft Myrtle." 



' Many kinds of wood are harder, as Box and 

 Ebony; many kinds are tougher, as Yew and 

 Ash ; Jmt it is supposed that no species of wood, 



* ' Forest Scenery,' pages 41-2. 



