59 



growth, a proper selection should be made, leaving 

 always the more healthy and thriving, and such as 

 are likely to be the longest lived trees. Although 

 those left may happen to have a bad top on one side, 

 spoiled with its neighbouring tree, from its healthy 

 and vigorous growth, it will soon gather and recover ; 

 in cases of this kind, they should always be allowed 

 room and scope ; by the cutting or destroying of the 

 trees in question, in one unlucky moment, if we com- 

 pare the future with the past, the work of five or six 

 generations is spoiled. Where is the man, in his 

 thinking moments, knowing the proprietor's absence, 

 that would risk the daring attempt. If there was 

 such a man, generations yet unborn will curse his 

 bones while rotting in the dust. I could give many 

 names of places, where the proprietors, in an unthink- 

 ing moment, had cut down old timber trees about 

 pleasure grounds, and afterwards repented to such a 

 degree, that when looking on the awful blank, totally 

 unable to supply its place, although they should give 

 all they had ; sad remorse made them forsake the 

 ancient demesne of their forefathers. The old trees 

 on both sides the garden wall, so long as protected 

 from the hands of the assassin, and a green blade 

 flourishes on them, their venerable tops will nod in 

 solemn silence, and proclaim peace to the slumber- 

 ing ashes of their ancient proprietors, who planted, 

 protected, and reared them to such perfection.* 



* The roots of the fine trees referred to^ were cut at the suggestion of 

 the gardener, to stop them from running into the garden. I only learned 

 this lately, and near twelve months after this report was written. 



