THE WILLOW, ETC. 



129 



Salix babylonica. 



it thrives very well in England, if the situation be 

 not too cold for it, and if it be near water. It runs 

 to a considerable height, and no tree can be more 

 graceful on the margin of a lake or stream. The 

 twigs, which hang down so beautifully, are tough, as 

 well as long and slender; and there can be no doubt 

 that they would answer well for basket-making; but 

 this tree is chiefly introduced on account of the beauty 

 of its appearance. It has been said, that the first 

 willow was planted in England by the celebrated 

 Alexander Pope. According to the account of this 

 circumstance, the poet having received a present of 

 figs from Turkey, observed a twig of the basket in 

 which they were packed putting out a shoot. He 

 planted this twig in his garden, and it soon became 

 a fine tree ; from which stock all the weeping-willows 

 in England have sprung. This tree, so remarkable 

 on every account, was cut down a few years ago. 

 The willow has not only been noticed, but employed 



