4 THE TREES OF AMERICA. 



where a large price has been refused for favorite trees, by those whose Avhole 

 property did not amount to much more than the sum offered for a single tree. 



The fact seems to us to be, that while in England this taste must, from the 

 nature of the case, be confined to the few, with us it is almost imiversal. "We 

 have met with but few exceptions to this rule, and these, as usual, go to prove 

 it. In one instance, where one of these " tree Vandals " commenced destroying 

 an avenue of elms, a public meeting was called upon the subject, and such was 

 the force of public opinion, that he could not bear up against it, and though 

 dollars rimg loudly, and most musically in his ears, " that other voice " compelled 

 him to abandon his design. This took place in a small town in the interior of 

 Kew Hampshire. "NMiat Irving says of English gentlemen seems to belong to 

 the people with us, and confirms Mr. Downing's opinion, that our " famous com- 

 mon schools teach the aesthetics of art." In this, however, we only claim for 

 oiu'seh'es, that we have inherited from our fathers that feeling which we have 

 here wider room to develop. 



" I am fond of listening," says Irving, " to the conversation of English gentle- 

 men on rui-al concerns, and of noticing with what taste and discrimination, and 

 with what strong, unaffected interest, they will discuss topics which in other 

 countries are abandoned to mere woodmen or rustic cultivators. I have heard a 

 noble earl descant on park and forest scenery with the science and feeling of a 

 pamter. He dwelt on the shape and beauty of particular trees on his estate with 

 as much pride and technical precision as though he had been discussino- the 

 merits of statues in his collection. I found that he had even gone considerable 

 distances to examine trees which were celebrated among rural amateurs ; for it 

 seems that trees, like horses, have their established points of excellence, and that 

 there are some in England Avhich enjoy very extensi^-e celebrity, amono- tree 

 fanciers, for being perfect in their kind. There is something nobly sweet and 

 pure in such a taste ; it argues, I think, a sweet and generous nature, to haAo 

 this strong relish for the beauties of vegetation, and this friendship for the hardv" 

 and glorious sons of the forest. There is a grandeiu- of thought connected with 

 this part of rural economy. It is, if I may be allowed the figm-e, the heroic line 

 of husbandry. It is worthy of liberal, and free born, and aspiring men. He who 



