24 



THE OAK. 



this^ you may tell an oak leaf at once from any 

 other." 



" I will take a bunch home/' said Frederick, 

 " and draw it; or, at least, take the out- 

 line of some of the leaves, that I may know it 

 again. I can run my pencil round the edge, 

 as it lies flat on the paper ; and that must be 

 like it in size and shape." 



" That is certainly one way to impress this 

 specific modicum of knowledge on your mind, 

 so that Time, that plunderer of the memory, 

 shall not deprive you of it." 



We had walked during this conversation, 

 until, perceiving a fine grove of oaks growing 

 beautifully together, I called the attention of 

 my auditory to the grand mass. 



" Well might the Druids be fond of groves 

 of oak ! How noble the external appearance ; 



