of t|)c jFvtti) ommon. 203 



from the east or north-east, which have withstood the 

 tempests of ages. 



The aggregate effect produced by forest scenery is 

 magnificent the deep retiring woodland, the waving of 

 innumerable branches, the majestic columns which 

 uphold them, the mingled tints and hues, the dancing 

 of the lights and shadows on the ground, the long, long 

 vistas which extend far as the eye can reach, when the 

 view of external nature is shut out, when there is 

 neither a green meadow nor distant hill to be seen, nor 

 even a fence nor railing, nothing which betokens the 

 hand of man ; but noble trees around, and a magnificent 

 canopy of mingled boughs ; when not a sound is heard 

 except the rustling of the wind in the topmost branches, or 

 perchance the plaintive voice of the ring-dove, which loves 

 to build her nest in solitary places. But the tree, which 

 like the Beech of the Frith Common, stands alone, can 

 best be understood. The mind can rest upon it, and 

 the eye can embrace its beautiful proportions. Wisdom 

 may be gained by him who loves to read the ample 

 page of nature, while musing beneath its branches, for 

 every leaf is an open book, every tender bud tells much 

 concerning the goodness of that Being whose beneficence 

 is equally conspicuous in the smallest, as in the migh- 

 tiest of created things. 



This noble tree grows on a sunny hill side, 

 And merry birds sing round it all the day long ; 



Oh the joy of my childhood, at evening tide, 

 To sit in its shadow and list the birds' song ! 



