THE HAWTHORN. 



291 



remain long on the branches, affording a welcome 

 supply for the larger birds during winter. 



The hawthorn must not, however, be passed over as 

 a mere hedge-plant, for when allowed to grow to its 

 natural size it forms a handsome bush, and in old age 

 a picturesque and gnarled tree, very pleasing to the 

 eye. Many examples of beautiful and aged thorns are 

 to be found, in Bushy Park for instance, which will 

 fully redeem the tree from such censure as is bestowed 

 upon it by the celebrated Gilpin, who denies much 

 picturesque beauty to the hawthorn. '' Its shape," he 



FRUIT OF HAWTHORN. 



(Natural size.} 



says, " is bad ; it does not taper and point like the 

 holly, but is rather a matted, round, heavy bush. Its 

 fragrance, indeed, is great ; but its bloom, which is 

 the source of that fragrance, is spread on it in too much 

 profusion : it becomes a mere white sheet, a bright 

 spot which is seldom found in harmony with the 

 objects around it. In autumn, the hawthorn makes 

 its best appearance. The glowing berries produce a rich 

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