196 &f)e $wf) of t& ,dFrtt!) ommon. 



beaten by a single rain-drop. The clouds, how beautiful 

 they look, and the deep blue sky above them ! for both 

 are clearly seen through the ramified branches ; the first, 

 when driven swiftly by soft breezes from the west ; the 

 other, in all its grandeur and extent, as when the morn- 

 ing stars rejoiced together, and it first appeared like a 

 glorious pavilion based on the distant hills. 



Such is the Beech of the Frith Common. It stands 

 alone in the centre of a beautiful common, covered with 

 wild flowers and short herbage, and the fragrant thyme, 

 among which the industrious bee loves to nestle, and to 

 gather in her harvests. The nest of the skylark is 

 among the juniper-bushes that skirt the margin of the 

 common ; its joyous tenant is up in air, warbling and 

 rejoicing, and making his high home resound with 

 melody. And well may he rejoice, for he has no 

 sadness to damp his song, no earth-born cares to bring 

 him down. But if we seek for one, albeit assigned 

 to earth, and being unable to soar into mid air, yet 

 thankful and making the best of her humble lot, list 

 to the contented cuckoo ; she bids the valley ring with 

 her note, it is unvaried, and some people would fain say 

 that it is wearisome; no such thing, it is the very voice 

 of spring, telling of sweet flowers and lengthening days, 

 of soft May showers, and of the coming of wandering 

 birds from far-off shores, to make glad the fields of 

 Britain. The Beech of the Frith Common has no voice 

 with which to swell the chorus that has just begun, and 



