ICO ESSAY UPON REDWOOD. 



grubber, and so proof of this law. Young and thriving red- 

 woods of spire-tops are sometimes seen, which would be 

 admired for their beauty; indeed, they seldom get a suit- 

 able footing in the nursery; and planted only a little inland 

 the chief fault is paucity of branch and sparseness of foliage, 

 which makes them appear too open, lank, loose and meagre; 

 a display not at all pleasing viewed apart from the forest, 

 however grand and imposing they may become with age in 

 their native haunts. Besides, the hue of green is not sufficient- 

 ly vivacious, although becoming enough in old age, sobered 

 with the faintest touch of gray. 



In conclusion, we may say tnat cone-bearing trees have 

 always a minor key-note of somewhat sombre, if not serious 

 and sad; "like memories of joys that are past ! pleasant 

 and mournful to the soul ! "; wooing to intro and to retro- 

 spection ; for they are the great relics and representatives of a 

 by-gone age, nay, aeons of ages! If, therefore, thine ear be 

 attuned to catch the celestial psalm they sing of a golden age, 

 they have a mind to thee when into their forest thou goest, 

 musing * * * con amore. Or, at least, let us list to soft 

 prophetic songs tiding the falling raindrops from some far-off 

 shore. Anon come her echoes of silence, swelling and van- 

 ishing, as Nature's love-songs sweetly die along the breeze. 



My lyre is found in the mountain wood. 



Hung high in the forest tree, 

 And soft is the music all the day 



That laps me in its sweet control ; 

 Yet other airs than Nature's play 



^Eolian vespers to the soui. 



after Holcombe. 



