THE OAK. 



29 



Gilpin rightly observes, that of all species of land- 

 scape there is none which so universally captivates 

 mankind as forest scenery. However the agricul- 

 turist or the political economist may remind us, that 

 our prosperity as a nation must increase in pro- 

 portion as the plough and the scythe gain ground 

 upon the woods, we still, as individuals, cling in ima- 

 gination to those haunts of liberty and contem- 

 plation, which afforded man his first shelter ; still 

 delight in their endless variety of hues and forms, 

 and vocal sounds ; and find ourselves alternately 

 elevated by the solemnity of their solitudes, or 

 cheered by the animation of the occupations and 

 habits of the tribes connected with them. Out of 

 ninety English forests, enumerated by Gilpin, how 

 few remain as present ornaments and nurseries of 

 future wealth ! Who would not be grieved to see 

 such noble sylvan districts as the forests of Windsor 

 and Marlborousfh denuded and laid waste — a scene 

 of desolation, such as the site of a forest no longer a 

 forest peculiarly exhibits ? We may be allowed, 

 therefore, to lament, that " of all sublunary things, 

 the woodland scene, which is amongst the most 

 beautiful, should be among the most perishable : " 



" Woods 



Which shelter'd once the stag and gristly boar, 

 Scarce to the timid hare now refuge lend." 



At a little distance from the King Oak is — 



