THE OAK. 



19 



you may observe in what direct and straight lines 

 the branches in each shoot from the stem ; whereas 

 the limbs of an Oak are continually twisting here 

 and there in various contortions, and, like the 

 course of a river, sport and play in every possible 

 direction, sometimes in long reaches, and some- 

 times in shorter elbows." 



Another peculiarity of the Oak is its expan- 

 sive spread. This, indeed, is a just characteristic 

 of the Oak ; for its boughs, however twisted, con- 

 tinually take a horizontal direction, and oversha- 

 dow a large space of ground. Indeed, where it is 

 fond of its situation, and has room to spread, it 

 extends itself beyond any other tree, and, like a 

 monarch, takes possession of the soil. The last 

 characteristic of the Oak is its longevity, which 

 extends beyond that of any other tree ; perhaps 

 the Yew may be an exception, I mention the 

 circumstance of its longevity, as it is that which 

 renders it so singularly picturesque. It is through 

 age that the Oak acquires its greatest beauty, 

 which often continues increasing even into decay, 

 if any proportion exist between the stem and the 

 branches. AVhen the branches rot away, and the 

 forlorn trunk is left alone, the tree is in its de- 

 crepitude in the last stage of life, and all beauty 

 is gone." 



Gilpin concludes this characteristic description 

 with the following words : I have dwelt the 

 longer on the Oak, as it is confessedly both the 

 most picturesque tree in itself, and the most ac- 

 commodating in composition. It refuses no sub- 

 ject either in natural or in artificial landscape. It 

 is suited to the grandest, and may ^^dth propriety 

 be introduced into the most pastoral. It adds 



