222 SYLVAN ■WINTER." 



be seen from the following instance : — " An acorn 

 was sown at Beckett, the seat of Lord Barrington, 

 on the day of his birth in 1717. In November, 

 1790, it contained ninety-five feet of timber, 

 which at 2s. per foot would sell for 91. 10s. The 

 top was valued at about 11. 15s. The girth, at 

 five feet from the ground, was about half an inch 

 more than eight feet. The increase of girth in 

 the two last years was 4J inches. It grows in 

 rich land, worth 11. 5s. an acre." '* 



Referring to the qualities of its timber, Gilpin 

 proceeds : ' The particular, and most valued 

 qualities of the Oak are hardness and toughness. 

 Shakespeare uses two epithets to express these 

 qualities, which are perhaps stronger than any we 

 Can find. 



" Thou rather with thy sharp and sulph'rous bolt 

 Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled Oak, 

 Than the soft Myrtle." 



' Many kinds of wood are harder, a,s Box and. 

 Ebony; many kinds are tougher, as Yew and 

 Ash; Jjut it is supposed that no species of. wood, 



* ' Forest Scenery,' pages 41-2, - , J 



