588 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



of this species into England, this must grow particularly 

 fast, since there are some very fine trees in this country, 

 even in the neighbourhood of London. There is a fine 

 Weeping Willow in a garden near the Paddington end 

 of the New Road, and a most magnificent one, also, in a 

 garden on the banks of the Thames, just beyond Rich- 

 mond Bridge, on the Richmond side of the river. 

 Several of the arms of this tree are so large, that one of 

 them would in itself form a fine tree. They are propped 

 by a number of stout poles ; and the tree appears in a 

 flourishing condition. If that tree be no more than 

 ninety-five years old, the quickness of its growth is in- 

 deed astonishing. 



Martyn relates an interesting anecdote, which he gives 

 on the authority of the St. James's Chronicle for August 

 1801: — 



" The famous and admired Weeping Willow planted 

 by Pope, which has lately been felled to the ground, 

 came from Spain, enclosing a present for Lady Suffolk. 

 Mr, Pope was in company when the covering was taken 

 off ; he observed that the pieces of stick appeared as if 

 they had some vegetation ; and added, ' Perhaps they 

 m.ay produce something we have not in England.' Under 

 this idea he planted it in his garden, and it produced the 

 AVillow tree that has given birth to so many others.'"' 



According to the account before-mentioned, this tree 

 could not have been more than fourteen years old when 

 Pope died. It is said, with what truth the reader must 

 judge, that the destruction of this tree was caused by the 

 eager curiosity of the admirers of the poet, who, by their 

 numbers, so disturbed the quiet, and fatigued the pa- 

 tience of the possessor, Avith applications to be permitted 



