THE ASH. 151 



in its silvery stem and principal arms. Delight- 

 ful indeed is it to contemplate the variety and 

 surpassing beauty of many of these " houses not 

 built with hands," proclaiming to the viewless winds, 

 the eyes of heaven, and the heart of man, the wis- 

 dom and the love of the Eternal Architect, whose 

 fiat calls them into existence, and whose benevolence 

 wills them to live for ages. Nor is it without regret 

 that the Author sees himself arrived at the end of a 

 task so congenial to his feelings, as that of comme- 

 morating some of those silent but happy " inheritors 

 of the earth," to which the shorter-lived habitants of 

 it owe so much both of profit and enjoyment. Never- 

 theless, he rejoices in the opportunity his work has 

 afforded him, of consecrating to his native country a 

 trophy illustrative of her woodland treasures, her 

 pride, her ornament and defence ; a trophy which 

 he would fain offer up to her as expressive of his 

 ardent wishes for the continuance of her prosperity 

 and happiness, and that they may endure and 

 flourish, for ages to come, in the full spirit of the 

 Scriptural blessing, 



" As the days of a tret are the days of my people." 



FINIS. 



