DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. ISl 



those soothing, though softly melancholy reflections, which 

 have made one of our poets to exclaim, ' There is a pleasure 

 even in orief.' "* On this passage,' Loudon remarks : "Not- 

 withstanding the preference thus given the willow, the shape 

 of the cypress, conveying to a fanciful mind the idea of a flame 

 pointing upwards, has been supposed to alford an emblem 

 of the hope of immortality; it is still planted in many 

 churchyards on the continent, and alluded to in the epitaphs 

 under this light."t 



Abroad, the willow was in ancient days worn by young 

 girls, as a symbol of grief for one of their own sex who had 

 died young : 



" Lay a garland on my hearse, 

 Ot the dismal yew ; 

 Maidens, willow branches wear, 

 Say I died true." 



The poets often allude to the willow : 



"A willow garland thou did'st send, 



Perfumed last day to me ; 

 Which did but only this portend, 



I was forsook by thee. 

 Since so it is, I'll tell thee what. 



To-morrow thou shall see 

 Me wear the willow, after that 



To die upon the tree." Herrick. 



In landscapes, the "Weeping willow is peculiarly expressive 

 of grace and softness. Although a highly beautiful tree, 

 great care must be used in its introduction, to preserve the 

 harmony and propriety of the whole ; as nothing could be 

 more strikingly inappropriate, than to intermix it with trees 

 expressive of dignity or majesty, as the oak, etc. ; where 

 the violent contrast exhibited in the near proximity of the 



* Poiteau, Noveau du Hamel. 1 Arb. Brit. 



