THE CEDAR. 



103 



THE CEDAR. 



The Cedar proud and tall, 



Spenser. 



The Cedar of Lebanon has been generally sup- 

 posed to be a native of Mount Libanus only ; but 

 modern travellers have found it on Mount Taurus 

 and other elevated situations in the Levant, and it is 

 so hardy, that it can easily adapt itself to any 

 climate. It has not been much cultivated in Eng- 

 land till of late years ; although its quick growth, 

 and its capability of thriving in a meagre soil, ren- 

 ders it peculiarly desirable for those bleak and 

 barren situations which have hitherto been princi- 

 pally devoted to the Fir. 



The frequent and solemn allusions to the Cedar 

 of Holy Writ, seem to give it something of a sacred 

 character ; which is increased by a knowledge of 

 the esteem in which it was held by the ancients, on 

 account of its fragrant scent, its incorruptible nature, 

 and above all, its durability, insomuch that it is re- 



