50 Gilpin's forest scenery. 



characteristic of tlie Oak ; for its boughs, however 

 twisted, continually take a horizonal direction, and 

 overshadow a large space of ground. Indeed, 

 where it is fond of its situation, and has room to 

 spread, it extends itself beyond a,ny other tree ; 

 and, hke a monarch, takes possession of the 

 soil. 



The last Virgilian characteristic of the Oak is 

 its longevity, which extends, I suppose, beyond 

 that of any other tree. 



'Multa virum volvens diirando secula vincit.' 



Perhaps the Yew may be an exception. I mention 

 the circumstance of its longevity as it is of a 

 nature singularly picturesque. It is through age 

 that the Oak acquires its greatest beauty, which 

 often continues increasing even into decay, if 

 any proportion exist betv/een the stem and the 

 branches- When the branches rot away, and the 

 forlorn trunk is left alone, the tree is in its 

 decreptitude — the last stage of life — and all beauty 

 is gone. 



To such an Oak Lucan compares Pompey in 

 his declining state. 



