60 Gilpin's forest soenert. 



tlie simplicity of its brandies and the looseness of 

 its hanging leaves, characterize both these trees 

 with so much precision, that, at any distance at 

 which the eye can distinguish the form, it may also 

 distinguish the difference. The Elm has not so 

 distinct a character. It partakes so much of the 

 Oak that, when it is rough and old, it may easily, 

 at a little distance, be mistaken for one ; though 

 the Oak, I mean such an Oak as is strongly 

 mai-ked with its peculiar character, can never be 

 mistaken for the Elm. This is certainly a defect 

 in the Elm; for strong characters are a great 

 source of picturesque beauty. 



This defect, however, appears chiefly in the 

 skeleton of the Elm. In full foliage its character 

 is better marked. No tree is better adapted to 

 I receive grand masses of light. In this respect it 

 is superior, not only to the Oak and the Ash, but 

 perhaps to every other tree. Nor is its foliage, 

 , shadowing as it is, of the heavy kind. Its leaves 

 are small, and this gives it a natural lightness ; it 

 commonly hangs loosely, and is, in general, very 

 picturesque. 



The Elm naturally grows upright, and, when it 



