206 



that's it ; 



peculiarities of trees, we should 

 particularly observe the form of 

 their spray, or their ramifica- 

 tions, 10. The spray, or ter- 

 minal sprigs of the elm, 11, will 

 be found materially to differ from 

 that of the beech, 12, the ash, 14, 

 and the oak, 1 6 ; and the ramifica-. 

 Hon (branching) of the beech, 13, 

 will be found to differ from the 

 ramification of the ash, 15, while 

 both of these may be contrasted 

 with the ramification of the oak, 

 17. 



There is much variety in the 

 ramification of each species, and 

 much also in that of each indi- 

 vidual. We see everywhere so 

 many elegant lines, so much rich 

 or free intersection among them. 

 An old, rough, interwoven oak 

 has to the contemplative mind as 

 much beauty in winter as in 

 summer : 



If a man were disposed to moralise, the 

 ramifications of a thriving tree afford a good 

 theme. Nothing gives a happier idea of busy 

 life. Industry and activity pervades every part. 

 Wherever an opening, how minute soever, ap- 

 pears, there some little knot of busy adventurers 

 push in, and form a settlement, so that the 

 whole is everywhere full and complete. There, 

 too, as in all common communities, are many 

 little elbowings, jostlings, thwartings, and 

 oppositions, in which some gain and others lose. 



" As I sat carelessly at my window, and threw 

 my eyes upon a large acacia, which grew before 

 me, I conceived it might aptly represent a 

 country divided into provinces, towns, and 

 families. The larger branches mia;ht represent 

 the first ; the smaller branches connected with 

 them, the second ; and those combinations of 

 collateral leaves, which specify the acacia, might 

 represent families, composed of individuals. It 

 was now late in the year, and the autumnal 

 tint had taken possession of great part of the 

 tree. 



" As I sat looking at it, many of the yellow 

 leaves (which, having been produced earlier, 

 decayed sooner) were continually dropping into 

 the lap of their great mother. Here was an 

 emblem of natural decay, the most obvious 

 appearance of mortality. 



"As I continued looking, a gentle breeze 

 rustled among the leaves. Many fell, which in 

 a natural course might have enjoyed life longer. 

 Here malady was added to decay. 



" The blast increased, and every branch that 

 presented itself bowed before it. A shower of 



leaves covered the ground. The cup of sorrow, 

 said I, is poured out on the people. Pestilence 

 shakes the land. Nature sickens in the gale. 

 They fall by multitudes. Whole families are 

 cut off together. 



"Among the branches was one entirely 

 withered ; the leaves were shrivelled, yet cling- 

 ing to it. Here was an emblem of famine. The 

 nutriment of life was stopped. Existence was 

 just supported ; but every form was emaciated 

 and shrunk. 



" In the neighbourhood stretched a branch, 

 not only shrivelled and withered, but having 

 been more exposed to winds, was stripped 

 almost entirely of its leaves. Here and there 

 hung a solitary leaf, just enough to show that 

 the whole had lately been alive. Ah ! said I, 

 here is an emblem of depopulation. Some 

 violent cause hath laid waste the land. Towns 

 and villages, as well as families, are desolated. 

 Scarce ten are left to bemoan a thousand. 



" How does everything around us bring its 

 lesson to our minds ? Nature is the great book 

 of God ; in every page is instruction to those 

 who read. Mortality must claim its due. 

 Death in various shapes hovers around us. 

 Thus far went the heathen moralist. He had 

 learned no other knowledge from these perishing 

 forms of nature, but that men, like trees, are 

 subject to death. 



" Better instructed, learn thou a nobler lesson. 

 Learn that that God, who with the blast of 

 winter shrivels the tree, and with the breezes 

 of spring restores it, offers it to thee as an 

 emblem of thy hopes. The same God provides 

 over the natural and moral world. His works 

 are uniform. The truths which Nature teaches, 

 as far as they go, are the truths of revelation 

 also. It is written in both these books, that 

 that Power which revives the tree, will revive 

 thee also, like it, with increasing perfection ! " * 



1 



572. 



The oak, 1,| is one of the 

 noblest trees of the forest. It 

 belongs to the botanical family 



* Gilpin's Forks'- Scenery, 

 t Qnercus peditticulaia. 



