142 



The Forest Trees of Wiltshire. 



spreading beech, and its graceful, drooping feathery birch ; to 

 say nothing of the numberless old hawthorn trees, gleaming in the 

 spring with their glorious white blossoms, and filling the air with 

 the scent of the sweet May. But besides these enchanting sights, 

 there is something, too, that moves the heart to different feelings 

 — to rejoice that those whom God has blessed with such choice 

 gifts, have not forgotten Him who gave, but have manifested their 

 gratitude by raising and dedicating to His service two beautiful 

 churches, one on either side of the forest, at Cadley and at Bedwyn. 

 To the noble Marchioness of Ailesbury be that praise given, 

 which is so richly her due for so great and so good a work. 

 Here, in the temples built by man, and equally in God's own 

 temple, may worship and adoration be paid to the Giver of all 

 Good. 



" The woods I make my Chttech ; my preacher boughs, — 

 "Whispering high homilies through leafy lips. 

 Lo ! worshipers in every bee that sips 

 Sweet cordial from the tiniest flower that grows 

 'Mid the young grass ; and in each bird that dips 

 Light pinions in the sunshine, as it throws 

 Gold showers upon green trees. — All things around 

 Are full of praise of Grod ! " 



The avenue having been mentioned as a striking feature in this 

 sylvan paradise, a short description of it, taken from a local source, 

 published some few years ago may be permitted : — " Composed 

 principally of beech trees, and extending fully four miles in length, 

 that Avenue is, perhaps, the grandest in England, if not in the 

 world. Who has not felt awe-inspired on entering and looking up 

 at the long-drawn aisle, the tall columns, the pointed arch of some 

 noble cathedral ? Those who have not, perhaps might experience 

 no awe, no kindred feeling here; but to those who have, the 

 cathedral aisle will sink to nothing, as the work of man's imitative 

 hand must ever do in comparison with the works of Nature. Here 

 is the dim religious light in its true perfection, for it is not an 

 Avenue composed of a single line of trees on either side, but of 

 trees innumerable, spreading far to right and left; their tall, 

 straight trunks rising high in air, and their lofty branches 



