SYLVAN GIANTS. 275 



such a situation as this, where the tree fills the 

 whole area of a market-place with its extended 

 boughs, and is connected with the houses on 

 every side by the pillars which support them. 

 Some such idea as this very probably gave birth 

 to that beautiful form in Gothic architecture of 

 a circular room, whose dome is supported by a 

 single column rising from the centre and ramify- 

 ing over the roof. We have two or three such 

 appendages of cathedrals in England, under the 

 name of chapter-houses. The most beautiful 1 

 know is at Salisbury, which I scruple not to call 

 one of the most pleasing ideas in architecture. 

 The Plane at Cos is greatly revered by all the 

 inhabitants of the city. Much of their public 

 business is transacted in the market-place. There, 

 too, they hold their little social meetings, and we 

 may easily conceive the luxury, in such a climate, 

 of a grand, leafy canopy to screen them from the 

 fervour of the sun. To add to the beauty and 

 convenience of this very delicious scene, a fountain 

 of limpid water bubbles up near the roots of the 

 tree.' * 



* ' Forest Scenery,' pages 179-80. 

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