ELM. 215 



And long as ammunition can be found, 



Its lightning flashes, and its thunders sound." 



CRABBE. 



In modern times 



The trader, farmer, butcher, taylor, all 



Bring up a son, Professionall ; 



And then deal out their numerous writs, 



To keep their cubs, whom this trade fits. 



" Perhaps their numbers may in time confound 

 Their arts as scorpions give themselves the wound." 



The walk of elms at the north side of St. 

 James's Park, which once was the rendezvous 

 where courtly fashion and follies were dis- 

 played, and where now indigence and vice 

 have fixed their station, was planted in the 

 reign of Charles the Second ; some few of the 

 original trees were standing at the beginning 

 of the present century. If it be true that 

 trees have eyes and ears, how much must 

 these venerable elms have overlooked and 

 heard, and how fortunate will be the book- 

 seller who has the publication of these secrets, 

 which no doubt will shew 



" How creatures, nature meant should clean our streets, 

 Have purchased lands and mansions, parks and seats." 



Martyn tells us, " Two elms at St. John's 

 College, Oxford, were sizeable trees in the 

 reign of Queen Mary ; and at Fulham, there 



p 4 



