MISCELLANEOUS. 



195 



" I have stated all I can call to mind about 

 " them, and have spoken to my clerk of the 

 44 works, who confirms my statement, as to 

 " the quality of the wood, and the magnifl- 

 " cent appearance of the trees, as he never 

 " saw any thing like them before." 



Examples of this character, though of very 

 inferior magnitude, are to be seen in various 

 places : as in the long avenue on the road 

 between Dunchurch and Coventry, and near 

 the Lichfield race-course. The finest group 

 of them that I am acquainted with is in the 

 pleasure grounds at Teddesly, in Stafford- 

 shire. 



It would appear that, from whatever cause, 

 the Scotch fir has, for many years, deteriorated 

 both in its picturesque character and in its 

 general estimation. An acute observer of the 

 beauties of Nature, more than half a century 

 ago, made the following remarks upon this 

 subject : — 



" The Scotch fir is supposed to be the only 

 " indigenous Terebinthine tree in this island ; 

 " and yet though it abounds, and when seen 

 " in perfection is a very picturesque tree, we 

 " have little idea of its beauty. It is generally 

 " treated with great contempt. It is a hardy 



