PREFACE. 



xxix 



Chatterton poetically describes autumn as 

 '^^ Wyth liys goulde honde guylteynge the falleynge lefe." 



Many writers have touched upon the difference 

 in the colours of trees : 



Nor less attractive is the woodland scene. 



Diversified with trees of every growth, 



Alike, yet various. Here the gray smooth trunks 



Of ash, or lime, or beech, distinctly shine 



Within the twilight of their distant shades : 



There, lost behind a rising ground, the wood 



Seems sunk, and shortened to its topmost boughs. 



No tree in all the grove but has its charms. 



Though each its hue peculiar, paler some. 



And of a wannish gray ; the wiUow such. 



And poplar that with silver lines his leaf. 



And ash, far-stretching his umbrageous arm ; 



Of deeper green the elm ; and deeper still. 



Lord of the woods, the long-surviving oak. 



Some glossy leaved, and shining in the sun. 



The maple, and the beech of oily nuts 



Prolific, and the lime at dewy eve 



Diffusing odours : nor unnoted pass 



The sycamore, capricious in attire. 



Now green, now tawny, and ere autumn yet 



Have changed the woods, in scarlet honours bright." 



COWPER. 



Surely the poet takes some licence, in calling the 



Poplar blue: 



" Below me trees unnumber'd rise, 

 Beautiful in various dyes : 



