266 HOW TO GROW GOOD TIMBER. 



own fig-tree, and drink of the fruit of his own vine, 

 is the reward promised, in Holy "Writ, to the 

 righteous man ; and the gratification arising from the 

 site of a favoured and long-remembered tree is one 

 enjoyed in common hy the peer, whom it reminds, 

 as its branches wave over his head whilst wander- 

 ing in his hereditary domains, of the illustrious 

 ancestors who may have seen it planted; and by 

 the peasant, who recalls, as he looks on it in his way 

 to his daily labours, the sports of his infancy round 

 its venerable trunk, and regards it at once as his 

 chronicler and landmark. 



Who indeed amongst us, in whatever position of 

 life he may be, or in what land soever his lot may 

 be cast, does not often find his mind's eye resting 

 upon some favourite tree ; it may be some huge elm 

 on his village green, where, in the dim twilight, he 

 either told or listened to the fairy tale or exciting 

 ghost story; or the spreading oak, beneath whose 

 shade he has picnicked; or the haunted grove, 

 where his tale, though only whispered, yet spoke 

 loudly to a willing listener. 



Now shift the scene to moonlight glade, 



Where dapper elves beneath the shade 



Of oak or elm their revels keep, 



What time we plodding mortals sleep. 



Next lead me to some haunted grove, 



Such as the Fauns and Dryads love ; 



Or seat me by some brook, whose swell 



Makes music like a Naiad's shell ; 



Then touch the tree 'neath which I lie, 



Till it unclose to ear and eye 



Whate'er it may have heard or seen 



Since spring first clothed its stems with green. 



Spirit of the Woods. 



