44 



SYLVAN SKETCHES 



were the food of man, as also were acorns. Hence it has 

 been aptly tenned — 



" The foodful Beech." 



Evelyn mentions a Roman consul, Passienus Crispus, 

 " who fell in love with a prodigious Beech, of a wonderful 

 age and stature, which he used to sleep under, and would 

 sometimes refresh it by pouring wine at the roots." 



Wordsworth gives an agreeable picture of a Beech- 

 tree : 



" A single Beech-tree grew 



Within this grove of firs^ and in the fork 

 Of that one Beech appeared a thrush's nest ; 

 A last year's nest, conspicuously built 

 At such small elevation from the ground^ 

 As gave sure sign that they who in that house 

 Of nature and of love had made their home. 

 Amid the fir-trees all the summer long 

 Dwelt in a tranquil spot." 



The abundance of coal in this country renders us 

 indifferent to the characters of wood as fuel ; but on the 

 continent, beech wood is preferred before all others for 

 chamber fires, as it kindles easily, and gives a clear lively 

 fire. The bois d'Andelle burnt in the genteelest houses 

 in Paris is almost entirely beech. 



