FOREWORD 



A LECTURE, heard by many, illustrated with sketches 

 in charcoal made before the audience, is the basis 

 of this book. 



That lecture has been most generously received. So 

 many friends have expressed the wish that it might be 

 put into permanent form, that it is now published in the 

 hope that it may reach and please a larger company of 

 those who love the ancient and honorable race of trees. 



Those who have heard the lecture may be disap- 

 pointed. Cold type cannot carry the mood evoked by the 

 living voice, nor can pencil drawings made in cold 

 blood have the tang of rapid sketches made while talk- 

 ing, and spiced with touches of color. 



Those who have never heard the lecture may like the 

 book. At least, that is the hope of both author and pub- 

 lisher. Needless to add, the point of view is not that of 

 the botanist or biologist, but of the artist. 



If the book serves to give clearer vision to the eager 

 eyes of the elect; if it helps to give sight to eyes hitherto 

 holden that they saw not the beauty of our quiet 

 friends the Tree Folk, I shall feel happy to have been 

 of some little service to my fellows and to the Trees 

 themselves. They need friends. They respond to friend- 



