264 FLORAL EMBLEMS. 



RENDER ME JUSTICE. 



CHESTNUT TREE. Castanea. 



" New cheese and chestnuts are our country fare, 

 With mellow apples for your welcome cheer." 



Virgil's Pastorals. 



This tree, which affords a wholesome nou- 

 rishment to the inhabitants of many coun- 

 tries, is not sufficiently regarded in Britain. 

 It was however of more importance in former 

 days, and the roasting of these nuts is men- 

 tioned by poets whose verses will ever be ad- 

 mired, however time may change our customs. 



" Or whose discourse with innocent delight 

 Shall fill me now, and cheat the wintry night ? 

 While hisses on my hearth the pulpy pear, 

 And blackening chestnuts start, and crackle there." 



Milton. 



