326 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



proportions among the highlands of North Britain. There 

 we grow wild, differing as much from the formal ornament 

 of the pleasure-ground, as a hardy mountaineer from the 

 sedentary mechanic of a crowded city. Tar back as either 

 history or legend has preserved the origin of heraldic cogni- 

 zances, flowers blossoming beside the road, or favourite trees, 

 have formed the badge of respective chieftains. As such, 

 our mountain tribe was anciently appropriated to the clan 

 Alpine. 



" Hail to the chief, who in triumph advances, 

 Honoured and hlessed he the evergreen pine ; 

 Long may the tree in his banner that glances 

 Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line." 



I have said, that our favourite haunts are wild and 

 mountainous regions. A poor and sandy soil well contents 

 us ; we neither require depth nor richness, nor yet clear 

 streams, with which to lave our roots. Hence the most 

 sterile lands of Scotland have been rendered valuable by- 

 extensive fir plantations ; and yet, though loving the wild 

 blast and storms of winter, we disdain not to flourish in 



