126 Gilpin's porest soeneuy. 



the indignities it suffers. We everywhere see it 

 cut and metamorphosed into such a variety of de- 

 formities, that we are hardly brought to conceive 

 it has a natural shape, or the power, which other 

 trees have, of hanging with ease. Yet it has this 

 power in a great degree, and, in a state of Nature, 

 except in exposed situations, is perhaps one of 

 the most beautiful evergreens we have. Indeed, 

 I know not whether, all things considered, it is 

 not superior to the Cedar of Lebanon itself — I 

 mean to such meagre representatives of that noble 

 plant as we have in England. The same soil 

 which cramps the Cedar is congenial to the Yew. 

 It is but seldom, however, that we see the Yew 

 in perfection. In New Forest it formerly 

 abounded, but it is now much scarcer. It does 

 not rank among timber trees, and being thus, in a 

 degree, unprivileged, and unprotected by forest 

 laws, it has often been made booty of by those 

 who durst not lay violent hands on the Oak, or 

 the Ash. But still, in many parts of the forest, some 

 noble specimens of this tree are left. One I have 

 often visited, which is a tree of peculiar beauty. 

 It immediately divides into several massy limbs, 



