84 



SYLVA BRITANNIC A. 



" Here Nature does a house for me erect, — - 



Nature, the wisest architect. 



Who those fond artists does despise 

 That can the fair and living trees neglect, 



Yet the dead timber prize. 



" Here let me, careless and unthoughtful lying, 

 Hear the soft winds above me flying. 

 With all their wanton boughs dispute, 



And the more tuneful birds to both replying. 

 Nor be myself too mute." 



It is only on approaching within the very limits 

 overshadowed by its spreading branches, that the 

 size of this majestic tree can be duly estimated ; but 

 when its full proportions are fairly viewed on all 

 sides, it strikes the beholder with feelings of wonder 

 and admiration, alike for its bulk and for the num- 

 ber of centuries which it has been in attaining it. 



When we consider how beautiful and interesting 

 an object a magnificent tree is in itself, how proud 

 an ornament it forms to the spot whereon it flou- 

 rishes — an ornament not to be equalled by any 

 edifice reared by human hands ; how incontestable 

 a witness it bears to the ancient riches or honours 

 of those on whose estates it may for ages have been 

 cherished and preserved ; it might be imagined, that 

 such as are fortunate enough to possess any remark- 

 able treasures of this description in their parks or 

 forests, would at least be as studious to retain them, 

 as to amass other curiosities of nature or of art. 



