THE CEDAR. 



109 



owing, it has been conjectured, to the filling-up of a 

 neighbouring pond by which they were supposed to 

 be formerly nourished : but this is scarcely probable, 

 as the cedar naturally assimilates with a poor soil ; 

 and it is more likely that the real cause of the injury 

 done to these fine trees, as well as to all the other 

 productions of the spot on which they stand, a spot 

 rendered almost classical ground by the name of its 

 founder. Sir Hans Sloane, may be found in the 

 pestiferous vapour of the numerous gas-works by 

 which it is surrounded. 



There is something in the air of the Cedar re- 

 markably indicative of its comparatively immortal 

 nature. The foliage is very beautiful : each branch 

 is perfect in its form ; the points of the leaves spread 

 upwards into little tufts, feathering the whole upper 

 surface of the branch, and drooping in graceful curves 

 towards the extremity, whilst the colour exhibits a 

 rich green, harmonizing between the blue tint of the 

 pine and fir, and the lurid and gloomy one of the 

 cypress. Its peculiarity in raising its boughs to sup- 

 port the load that may oppress them, is prettily 

 alluded to by the late talented Mrs. Franklin : 



" meek in power, 



Her gentle spirit rose in danger's hour. 

 The cedar thus, when halcyon summer shines. 

 Graceful to earth its pendent boughs declines ; 

 But when on Libanus the snows descend, 

 To meet the weight its rising branches bend," 



