ENGLISH, OR SMALL-LEAVED ELM. 109 



jects with the eye and feeling- of an artist. In picturesque 

 effect it was considered by Gilpin as only inferior to the 

 oak, and inferior only in its skeleton or denuded state, 

 for he says, " this defect, however, (alluding to the less 

 distinct character of its ramification and spray,) appears 

 chiefly in the skeleton of the Elm. In full foliage its 

 character is better marked. No tree is better adapted 

 to receive grand masses of light. In this respect it is 

 superior to the oak and the ash." 



The foliage of the Elm, though massive and thick, and 

 affording an almost impenetrable shade, never appears 

 heavy to the eye, like that of the horse-chesnut, or the 

 sycamore ; this is owing to the lightness of the spray, 

 the comparative smallness of the leaves, and the loose, 

 free manner in which they hang. The Elm possesses also the 

 double advantage of coming into leaf with the early spring, 

 and being among the very last of our forest trees to yield 

 to the chilling effects of autumnal cold and frost, qualities 

 of sufficient importance, independent of others it possesses, 

 to render it one of the most desirable trees, where shelter, 

 as well as ornament, is taken into account. 



When first expanded, the leaves are of a pale though 

 cheerful green, but, as the season advances, they acquire 

 a deeper tint, and gradually become of a dark and slightly 

 glossy green : this they retain till the autumnal cold has 

 checked vegetation, when they gradually fade to a fine 

 clear yellow, which, as Gilpin observes, "mixes kindly 

 with the orange of the beech, the ochre of the oak, and 

 many other fading hues of the wood." 



As a park, or ornamental tree around the residences of 

 our gentry, the Elm must always hold a distinguished 

 place, possessing, as it does, all the qualities essential to 

 give effect in such situations. It is also one of the most 



