THE BEECH. 



tions with tliis tree from tlie same source. But 

 we conceive we have much the advantage of him. 

 in being able to indulge in the pleasure arising 

 from the contemplation of a noble Beech as one 

 of the most magnificent objects of God's fair 

 creation. Some of the verv circimistances which 

 render it unpicturesque. or. in other words, which 

 render it an unmanageable subject of art_. highly 

 contribute to render it beautiful. The glazed 

 surface of the lea.f, which brightly rehects the 

 sun's rays_. and the gentle emotions of light, if 

 we may venture so to express ourselves, which 

 sometimes steal over the surface of its foliage 

 with the breathino' of the bahny breeze, although 

 difficult, or rather almost inv:" to be re- 



presented by the artist, are t.. :..c::ts which are 

 productive of very pleasing ideas in the mind of 

 the feeling observer of nature.'" 



On the whole, therefore, \\dthout going so far 

 as to assert that none of the objections alleged 

 against the Beech by oih great authority on fo- 

 rest scenery are tenable. I may say with safety, 

 that, in spite of them all. the Beech is a noble 

 tree in nature — beautiful, as delineated by the 

 hand of the Creator, however difficult it may 

 be for the painter to represent it with the pen- 

 cil in such a way as to produce a pleasing effect 

 on the mind. And it is a tree which has many 

 points of interest about it at all seasons of the 

 year. Enter a grove of Beeches on a bright 

 day in mid-winter : the mind is immediately en- 

 gaged in meditating on the still solemnity that 

 reigns around. Look where you \rill. Xatr^re 

 is in a state of deejD repose, if not of sus- 

 pended animation : there is as little semblance 



