yew. 289 



The baleful influence of this tree has been 

 greatly exaggerated, and its beauties trans- 

 formed into objects of disgust and terror. It 

 is unjustly accused of destroying all vegeta- 

 tion by its blast, whilst its beautiful berries 

 have been compared to drops of blood. 



The yew is not more remarkable for its 

 toughness and elasticity, than for the fine 

 colour and beautiful grain of its wood. 



" Whilst the distinguish'd yew is ever seen, 



Unchanged his branch, and permanent his green." 



This tree is still to be found in some of 

 our old gardens, and it is common in most of 

 the gardens in Holland, where the art of an- 

 cient clipping and cutting is still preserved in 

 all its gloomy stateliness and formal regularity. 

 Vases, pyramids, or globes of yew, are the 

 finish of each angle, whilst in other places, 

 monstrous birds, dragons, and bears, are 

 shaped and modelled out of these trees, as if 

 instead of showing its natural beauties, it was 

 intended to represent the ancient guardian of 

 the garden as recommended by Columella of 

 old, who says, 



" Chuse the trunk of some huge antient tree ; 



Rough hew it, use no art ; Priapus make. 

 Him, in the middle of the garden, place, 



VOL. II. U 



