THE FOREST. 297 



' the minuter plants/ whicli make up the ground plan in 

 forest scenery. In characterizing the Bracken as 'the 

 most picturesque ' of these ' minuter plants/ he discovers, 

 we think, a true artistic feeling. It is too, we think, 

 graceful and beautiful not only ' where it is sparingly and 

 judiciously introduced,' but also — and indeed especially — 

 ' where it is spread in quantities.' The strikingly beau- 

 tiful aspect of a forest glade, densely covered with tall 

 forms of Bracken, must be seen to bo fully and properly 

 appreciated. — Ejj. 



Tlie poet, indeed (wlio, with all Ms cant, is 

 sometimes a truant to Nature), pays, in general, 

 very little attention to tliese rougher objects of 

 beauty. Sis foregrounds are commonly adorned 

 with the livelier tints of Nature : 



' Each beauteous flower ; 

 Iris all hues, roses, and jessamin, 

 Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay, 

 Broidering the ground.' 



And, if he design to speak of ground embellished 

 with these rough picturesque beauties, he disdain- 

 fully calls it a plaoe where 



' Nothing teems 

 But hateful docks, rough thistles, kecksies, burs, 

 Losing both beauty and utility.' 



T 2 



