114 



SYLVA BRTTANNICA. 



The circumference of this tree at six feet from the 

 ground is fourteen feet eight inches ; it rises to the 

 height of about sixty-five feet, and contains three 

 hundred and one feet of timber. 



It would be well if we could revive so much of 

 the veneration of the ancients for the Plane, as 

 might induce us, like them, to plant it round our 

 Schools and new Universities : our tiros in philo- 

 sophy might, by the powerful influence of association 

 of ideas, inhale under its branches some of the lofty 

 contemplations of their predecessors, practise them- 

 selves in the same habits of simplicity, and finally 

 arrive at the same height of intellectual and moral 

 excellence. Delightful indeed is it, as Horace says, 



" Atque inter Sylvas Academi quaerere verum." 



Neither the studies of the young, nor the peaceful 

 retreats of the aged, should ever be without those 

 breathing temples, those 



" Long living galleries of aged trees," 



favourable alike to learning and to religion. 



*' In such green palaces the first kings reign 'd, 

 Slept in their shades, and angels entertain'd 

 With such old counsellors they did advise, 

 And by frequenting sacred groves grew wise. 

 Free from th' impediments of light and noise, 

 Man, thus retired, his nobler thoughts employs. 



