THE HAWTHORN. 



201 



We have seen it hanging over rocks, with 

 deep shadows under its foliage, or shooting from 

 their sides, in the most fantastic forms, as if 

 to gaze at its image in the deep pool below. 

 We have seen it contrasting its tender germ, 

 and its delicate leaves, with the brighter and 

 deeper masses of the Holly and the Alder. We 

 have seen it growing under the shelter, though 

 not the shade, of some stately Oak, embodying 

 the idea of beauty protected by strength. Our 

 eyes have often caught the m.otion of the busy 

 mill-wheel, over which its blossoms were cluster- 

 ing. We have seen it growing grandly on the 

 green of the village school, the great object of 

 general attraction to the young urchins, who 

 played in idle groups about its roots, and perhaps 

 the only thing remaining to be recognized when 

 the school-boy returns as the man. We have 

 seen its aged boughs overshadowing one half of 

 some peaceful woodland cottage, its foliage half 

 concealing the window, whence the sounds of 

 happy content and cheerful mirth came forth. 



We know that lively season, 



' When the milkmaid singeth blythe, 

 And the mower whets his scythe, 

 And every shepherd tells his tale 

 Under the Hawthorn in the dale.' 



And with these, and a thousand such associa- 

 tions as these, we cannot but feel emotions of 

 no ordinary nature when we behold this beautiful 

 tree." 



In another place Gilpin speaks more favourably 

 of the tree in question: Though as a single 

 bush it is sometimes offensive, yet, entangled with 

 an Oak, or mixing with other trees, it may be 



