TREES IN MODERN PAINTING 289 



strength of the argument, ** Them as wants 

 leets, let em carry leets," we often have to find 

 our way by the light of the moon, or the stars, 

 or perhaps only by the forms of well-known 

 trees rising in shadowy ghostliness above the 

 roadside. 



We do at times see the trees by artificial 

 light. The night is unusually dark, or some- 

 thing has been left outside, or a gate has been 

 left unfastened, and we have to go out with a 

 lantern. Then we see the curious, because 

 unwonted spectacle of light shining up into 

 the trees, instead of shining down through 

 them and upon them. They are light now 

 against the dark, instead of dark against the 

 light. Their more remote branches die away 

 into the dark, with the appearance of rooting 

 themselves in a solid firmament. Similar, but 

 more weird effects are seen in driving along 

 the country roads at night. The trees start 

 out of the darkness as the lamplight catches 

 them ; they seem to look at us, to reach out 

 long, sinewy arms towards us ; but we hurry 

 past them, and always escape. 



Oftenest we see the trees at night only with 

 the help of nature's lighting. How dim and 

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