258 



THE CHERRY. 



which we have taught to be more productive 

 and profitable. We should then bear in mind, 

 that the breath of life/' which He breathed 

 into our nostrils, is under Him our great in- 

 structor, and be prepared to submit ourselves 

 in simple faith to His teaching, in matters 

 where higher interests than things of the body 

 are at stake. 



" Although no part of mighty Nature be 

 Llore stored with beautj^ power, and mystery ; 

 Yet to encourage human industry, 

 God has so ordered that no other part 

 Such space and such dominion leaves for art. 

 "We nowhere art do so triumphant see, 

 As w^hen it grafts or buds the tree. 

 In other things we count it to excel, 

 If it a docile scholar can appear 

 To Nature, and but imitate her will : 

 It over-rules, and is her master here. 

 It imitates her Maker's power divine. 

 And changes her sometimes, and sometimes does refine ; 

 It does, like Grace, the fallen tree restore, 

 To its blest state of Paradise before." 



Cowley. 



The Cherry-tree, though more familiarly known 

 as a valued tenant of the orchard and garden, 

 possesses undeniable claims to be considered a 

 naturalized, if not a native, Forest Tree, resting 

 its title both on its size and on the wildness of 

 its haunts. It is not unfrequently met with in 

 woods and hedges, and in the north of England 

 is found on the mountains at an elevation of a 

 thousand feet above the level of the sea. In con- 

 genial soils and situations it rises to the height 

 of seventy or eighty feet, and in Scotland is 

 planted for its timber. In some of the wilder 

 parts of the same country it is as plentiful as the 

 Birch, and propagates itself as freely. 



