52 Gilpin's foeest sceneey. 



arms over the purling brook, ortlie mantling pool, 

 where it beliolds 



' Its reverend image in the expanse below.' 



Milton introduces it happily even in the lowest 



scene. 



' Hard by, a cottage cliimney smokes 

 Erom botween two aged Oaks.' 



After the Oalc, let us examine the Ash. This 

 tree, in point of utility, is little inferior to the Oak. 

 Its uses are infinite. To the ashen spear the 

 heroes of antiquity were indebted for half their 

 prowess. In the arts of peace as well as of war, 

 in architectiu-e, tillage, and manufactures, the Ash 

 objects to business of no kind : while even its very 

 refuse spars are accounted the best fuel in the 

 forest.* The ashen billet produces a steady, bright, 

 lambent flame ; and, as Mr. Evelyn tells us, may be 

 reckoned among the aKanva fvXa, fuel with little 

 smoke. 



I have sometimes heard, the Oak called the 

 Hercules of the forest; and the Ash, the Yenus. 



* In some parts of the continent of Europe the ashen billet 

 sells for one half more than any other wood, except Beech. 



