214 GLYCERIA. 



roundish patches of CaUitriche, and many other subaquatic growths, 

 ■which variegate the bottom, and make it a field of interesting study. 

 Marshy spots in old meadows get very green and fresh in winter, 

 and catch the pleased eye afar off. This is not from contrast with 

 the surrounding barrenness, but from the vegetation of the perennial 

 grasses that occupy a wet soil. Sandy links, on the contrary, are 

 dull and dead, and rough with the persistent stalks of their wiry 

 bents. The tufts of rushes, which stud the wet green meadow, con- 

 tinue to preserve their living colour about the base and half-way up 

 the stalks, but the tops have become dry and withered. A deeper 

 green heightens the effect of the various kinds of Pine, and renders 

 their planting less gloomy in the prospect ; but deciduous trees get a 

 settled brown, with, however, red and pleasant tints, from the buds 

 covered up in their varnished scales ; and I have noticed that, in the 

 distance, these brown woods are silvered over as with the grey hue of 

 age. It is when in this naked condition that the naturalist studies 

 to advantage the character of the various trees in their mode of rami- 

 fication ; and I remark that the branchlets of the Ash and Plane are 

 opposite, patent, and knobby ; those of the Elms alternate, zigzag, 

 and flabellate ; of the Oak irregular, kneed, and spreading ; and of 

 the Willow irregular and erect, but so lithe as almost to droop. The 

 slender twigs of the Birch are more decidedly pendulous, and woven 

 almost into an irregular trellis ; while those of the Beech are regu- 

 larly alternate and patent. — These are trivial observations ? — not so 

 to one of my capacity and tastes : they gave interest to my walk, and 

 that had its value ; and, perhaps, I may have read, in this unadorned 

 page of my Book, the lesson th^t there was a good design, in all the 

 unregulated variety before me, to please and comfort even the sensual 

 eye. The eye, salved with euphrasy and rue, might have seen other 

 lessons which I may not decipher to the full ; yet even I could see, 

 in the far distance. Spring and Summer hastening onvrards to reclothe 

 the skeletons, apparently so dead to every sweet influence, vrith green 

 leaves and smiling flowers ; and Autumn give the promise of abundant 

 fruits. Is there no lesson in the vision ? Many : — and one suits my 

 present humour, which I give in the words to which it was set by a 

 poet two centuries ago : — 



" I know you would not love, to please your sense. 

 A tree, that bears a ragged unleaved top 

 In depth of winter, may when summer comes 

 Speak by his fruit he is not dead but youthful, 

 Though once he shew'd no sap : my heart 's a plant 

 Kept down by colder thoughts and doubtful fears. 

 Some frowns like winter storms make it seem dead. 

 But yet it is not so ; make it but yours. 

 And you shall see it spring, and shoot forth leaves 

 Worthy your age, and the oppressed sap 

 Ascend to every part to make it green. 

 And pay your love with fruit when harvest comes*." 



" James Shirley, as quoted by Lamb in Hone's Every Day Book, iii. 

 part ii. p. 173- 



