WILLOW. 263 



beneath a willow which hung over the river, 

 his crown was taken from his head by the 

 projecting branches, and fell into the water, 

 but was immediately recovered by an expert 

 diver, who happened to be in attendance. 

 This event was considered as the omen of 

 his premature dissolution. 



Delille says, in a note in " Uhomme des 

 Champs" " Tournefort is the first that made 

 us acquainted with the willow with branches 

 inclined, called the weeping willow. It is 

 even probable that Europe is indebted to this 

 naturalist for it." 



It has been stated that we owe the weep- 

 ing willow to Pope ; and this idea was 

 strengthened by a paragraph which appeared 

 in the St. James's Chronicle, August 25 to 27. 

 1801, that says, " The famous and admired 

 weeping willow, planted by Pope, which has 

 lately been felled to the ground, came from 

 Spain, enclosing a present to the late Lady 

 Suffolk. Mr. Pope was in company when the 

 covering was taken off ; he observed, that the 

 pieces of stick appeared as if they had some 

 vegetation, and added, " perhaps they may 

 produce something we have not in England." 

 Under this idea he planted it in his garden, 

 and it produced the willow-tree that has given 

 birth to so many others." 



s 4 



