HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
41 
Pine Bank , the Perkins estate, on the border of Jamaica 
lake, is one of the most beautiful residences near Boston. 
The natural surface of the ground is exceedingly flowing 
and graceful, and it is varied by two or three singular little 
dimples , or hollows, which add to its effect. Luxuri- 
ant specimens of the white pine abound, so as to give a 
name to the place, which is otherwise charmingly planted 
and grown. The perfect order of the grounds ; the beauty 
of the walks, sometimes skirting the smooth open lawn, en- 
riched with rare plants and shrubs, and then winding by 
the shadowy banks of the water ; the soft and quiet cha- 
racter of the lake itself, — its margin richly fringed with 
trees, which conceal here and there a pretty cottage, its firm 
clean beach of gravel, and its water of crystal purity ; all 
these features make this place a little gem of natural and 
artistical harmony, and beauty. (Fig. 6.) 
On the other side of the lake is the cottage of Thomas 
Lee , Esq. Enthusiastically fond of botany, and gardening 
in all its departments, Mr. Lee has here formed a residence of 
he shall never see arriving at maturity, and even many who are younger, 
conceive that it requires more than an ordinary lifetime, to rear a fine wood of 
planted trees. About two years since, we had the pleasure of visiting the seat 
of the late Mr. Lowell, whom we found in a green old age, still enjoying, with 
the enthusiasm of youth, the pleasures of Horticulture and a country life. For 
the encouragement of those, who are ever complaining of the tardy pace with which 
the growth of trees advances, we will here record that we accompanied Mr. L. 
through a belt of fine woods (skirting part of his residence,) nearly half a mile in 
length, consisting of almost all our finer hardy trees, many of them apparently 
full grown, the whole of which had been planted by him when he was thirty-two 
years old. At that time, a solitary elm, or two were almost the only trees upon 
his estate. We can hardly conceive a more rational source of pride or enjoyment, 
than to be able thus to walk, in the decline of years, beneath the shadow of um- 
brageous woods and groves, planted by our own hands, and whose growth has 
become almost identified with our own progress and existence. 
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