OCTOBER. %IO 



some spreading tree are the ancient patriarchs 

 revealed to us sitting in contemplation, or re- 

 ceiving the visits of angels ; and what a calm 

 and dignified picture of primeval life is pre- 

 sented to our imagination, at the mention of 

 Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth, judging the 

 twelve tribes of Israel, between Ramah and Be- 

 thel, in Mount Ephraim, beneath the palm-tree 

 of Deborah. The oaks of Bashan, and the 

 cedars of Lebanon, are but other and better 

 names for glory and power. The vine, the 

 olive, and the fig-tree are made imperishable 

 symbols of peace, plenty, and festivity. David 

 in his psalms, Solomon in his songs and pro- 

 verbs, the Prophets in the sublime outpourings 

 of their awful inspiration, and Christ in his para- 

 bles, those most beautiful and perfect of all alle- 

 gories, luxuriate in signs and similes drawn from 

 the fair trees of the East. 



In the earlier ages of Europe, Kings were 

 crowned, councils were held, and justice dis- 

 pensed beneath the shade of some noble trees. 

 From the shadow of an oak was Christianity 

 first proclaimed in these realms ; in a more 

 recent day of our dear and noble country, the 

 willows of Pope and Johnson, the mulberry of 

 Shakspeare, and that of Milton, have associated 

 those great names with the love of trees and of 

 planting. Many noble works of our illustrious 



