THE OAK. 15 



oaks which still remain, some bear the marks 

 of age and the effects of lightning, to both of 

 which they owe their stag-horned branches 

 and antiquated appearance. 



The least expensive mode of restoring its 

 sylvan character and beauty to this noble 

 park would be a cheap and simple one, 

 though not a speedy one, and must be under- 

 taken as a pleasure and amusement, and with 

 the same feelings and motives by which the 

 Earl of Carlisle was animated, and be content 



" For his own posterity to perform the same ;" 



and might be commenced by sowing a circum- 

 ference of land with hollyberries, and after they 

 had reached the height of 18 inches from the 

 ground two or three acorns might be placed 

 in the centre with the dibbling-iron, and the 

 strongest plants left to grow if they escaped 

 the ravages of mice. Twenty such or less on 

 a statute-acre, in different and proportionate 

 chosen sites, in a nobleman's or a gentleman's 



