TREES IN NATURE 107 



like these things, it is not of the tree but of the 

 human maimer of it that we think sadly. A 

 yew-tree in a garden is a source of pleasure. 

 Both in its structure, and in its sombre hue, it 

 is a valuable contrast to the other trees. In 

 many a landscape the tree strikes a rich, deep 

 note, not sad, but solemn. The other trees 

 look all the brighter for the presence of the 

 yew ; and we need not regard it as a kind of 

 misanthrope among trees, looking on sourly at 

 the gaiety of its youthful companions. It 

 would be the meanest of trees — pardon the 

 animism — if, having the gift of long life, it 

 envied its fellows the gaiety of their shorter life. 

 Nor, though its leaves are poisonous to cattle, 

 are its berries poisonous to mankind. We have 

 seen that Evelyn enjoyed both its shade and 

 its fruit. It is a tree of such strong, individual 

 character, that we are not surprised to find 

 Hamerton echoing Evelyn's regret that it is 

 not more extensively cultivated — for its own 

 sake, not for the sake only of any use to which 

 its timber may be put. 



. In connexion with it Mr. Edward Step 

 makes a suggestion of a kind that will be more 

 fully discussed in a later chapter; but pass- 



