IN THE BEECH WOODS 131 



heavy crown of foliage of exquisite beauty alike 

 in the tender green of spring, in the full vigour 

 of summer growth, or in the rich russet-brown 

 garb of autumn. 



Gilpin, writing in 1791, had a poor, mean 

 opinion of this tree both from an aesthetic and 

 an utilitarian point of view. He does not even 

 rank it among timber trees, * as its wood is of a 

 soft, spongy nature ; sappy, and alluring to the 

 worm/ adding also, * in point of picturesque 

 beauty I am not inclined to rank the beech much 

 higher than in point of utility.' Cobbett, too, 

 treats it rather slightingly, for he has just as 

 little to say about it in 'The Woodlands as about 

 the cherry, and less than about birch or alder. 

 Despite the majesty of the oak, there must yet 

 be many among us who will concur in thinking 

 Gilbert White's estimate a much truer one, when 

 he speaks of * beech, the most lovely of all forest 

 trees, whether we consider its smooth rind or 

 bark, its glossy foliage, or graceful pendulous 

 boughs.' 



Among the older writers, favourable mention 

 is often made of it. 'Yet have I known,' says 

 Holinshed, * great woods of beech and hasell in 



