TO HIS GRACE 



THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. 



My Lord Duke, 



When I first entreated Your Grace's permission to 

 dedicate to the Representative of the House of Russell the fol- 

 lowing Portraits of Forest Trees, I was influenced by 

 an irresistible association in my own mind between the stedfast- 

 ness and independence universally attributed to the " Lord of the 

 Woods, the long-surviving Oak," and the same characteristics 

 which have for ages past distinguished the noble family of 

 Bedford ; a family, whose name will be always venerated in the 

 annals of English History, as the champions of lawful right and 

 well-regulated liberty ; and whose public virtues are combined in 

 the descendant whom I have now the honour to address, with 

 " all the mild charities of private life," to which, for the happiness 

 of those by whom he is surrounded, it is his pleasure chiefly to 

 devote himself. 



I have only to add, that among the numerous gratifica- 

 tions I have derived from my work, favoured as it has been, during 

 its progress, with marks of public approbation far exceeding 

 any that my hopes had anticipated, the greatest is the opportunity 

 afforded me, by its completion, of testifying to the world the pride 

 and gratitude with which I have the honour to subscribe myself. 



My Lord Duke, 

 Your Grace's Most Obedient 



and Devoted Servant, 



JACOB GEORGE STRUTT. 



