II. THE ROOT. 31 



You think it, perhaps, a matter of course that a 

 plant is not to be a crawling thing ? It is not a 

 matter of course at all. A vegetable might be just 

 what it is now, as compared with an animal ; — might 

 live on earth and water instead of on meat, — might 

 be as senseless in life, as calm in death, and in all 

 its parts and apparent structure unchanged ; and 

 yet be a crawling thing. It is quite as easy to 

 conceive plants moving about like lizards, putting 

 forward first one root and then another, as it is to 

 think of them fastened to their place. It might 

 have been well for them, one would have thought, 

 to have the power of going down to the streams 

 to drink, in time of drought ; — of migrating in winter 

 with grim march from north to south of Dunsinane 

 Hill side. But that is not their appointed Fate. 

 They are — at least, all the noblest of them — rooted 

 to their spot. Their honour and use is in giving 

 immoveable shelter, — in remaining landmarks, or 

 lovemarks, when all else is changed : 



" The cedars wave on Lebanon, 

 But Judah's statelier maids are gone." 



4. Its root is thus a form of fate to the tree. It 

 condemns, or indulges it, in its place. These semi- 

 living creatures, come what may, shall abide, happy, 

 or tormented. No doubt concerning " the position 



