CHAPTER XVI. 



HOUSE- CHESTNUT. 



Msculus Hippocaslanum. 



A pyramid of verdure, 



Rising high, with much of sylvan beauty, grandeur, too, 

 And power to raise the thoughts from earth to heaven. 



MAY I not take my place among the aristocracy of forest- 

 trees indigenous to Britain ? said a magnificent horse- 

 chestnut. The tone in which he spoke was calm and 

 moderate, yet betokening somewhat of offended dignity; 

 and thus he made good his claim : 



True it is that none of my ancestors were hewn and 



