86 SYLVA BRITANNICA. 



is to be hoped that their pedigree will be preserved, 

 as none can boast more ancient ancestry. 



THE HORSE CHESNUT AT BURLEIGH. 



The Horse Chesnut, we are informed by Evelyn, 

 was first brought from Constantinople to Vienna; 

 thence into Italy, and so to France : but more 

 immediately to us from the Levant. It is probable 

 that its introduction into England took place about 

 the year 1500 ; and so well has it liked its naturali- 

 zation, that it at present forms one of the chief 

 ornaments of our groves and parks. To the painter 

 the magnificence of its stature, and the beauty of its 

 broad palmated leaves, and long pendent spikes of 

 flowers scarcely atone for the exceeding regularity 

 of its form, terminating as it invariably does, when 

 left to the hand of nature, in an exact parabola. 

 Yet in the following description of it we can scarcely 

 wish for any thing to be altered : " On reaching 

 the village green, we cannot choose but pause before 

 this stately Chesnut Tree, the smooth stem of which 

 rises from the earth like a dark-coloured marble 

 column, seemingly placed there by art to support 

 the pyramidal fabric of beauty that surmounts it. 

 It has just put forth ts first series of rich fan-like 

 leaves, each family of which is crowned by its 



