176 <IU Em* fit 



by virtue of that secret and mighty power which re-clothes 

 the forest-boughs with leaves, and causes the herbless 

 soil, to be covered with grass and flowers. Two small 

 lobes first uprose from out the soil, formed with the 

 exactest symmetry, and being in themselves both thick 

 and well furnished with pores, they served not only to 

 shield the small buds that lay between them, but to yield 

 abundant moisture for the support of their nascent life. 

 Presently a young leaf emerged from the bud, then 

 the leaf was pushed upwards by the supporting stem, till 

 at length other small leaves appeared, and the character 

 of a tree was gradually assumed. Meanwhile the tender 

 scions were watered with early dews, and warmed by a 

 bright sun ; the rain fell on them, and the internal heat 

 which had preserved life within the acorns, while they 

 lay embedded in the cold earth, did its work, and the 

 trees advanced in their growth. 



What people inhabited Britain when these things were 

 being done ? Were they the natives of the island, or were 

 they Romans, Danes, or Saxons, Picts or Scots ? Did the 

 rude dwellings of our remotest ancestors skirt the margin 

 of the forest on the plain country ? did their woad-dyed 

 chieftains walk beneath the parent trees ; or the Druid 

 cut with his golden knife, the hallowed misletoe from 

 their branches ? Were the gentle undulations of hill and 

 dale varied with palaces and forums ? did the Roman 

 dwell among them, or were they trod upon by the ruth- 

 less Dane, or the proud Norman, when the trees attained 



