And the following: — 
“ Or shall I rather the sad verse repeat, 
Which on the beechen bark I lately writ ?” 
In the third Eclogue, Virgil makes his shepherds boast of their beechen bowls : Tibullus says, — 
“ No wars did men molest, 
When only beechen bowls were in request.” 
The branches of the beech, particularly in woods, being much covered, and having a smooth bark, are 
liable to cross and grow into each other, and, as it were, inosculate ; and hence, according to some, it 
was this tree that gave the first idea of grafting. 
The beech was known to both the Greeks and Romans. The ancients seem to have set considerable 
value on the beech mast as an article of food. Pliny speaks of the mast (glandes) of the beech as being 
the sweetest of all (dulcissima omnium) and states that at the siege of Chios, the besieged lived for some 
time entirely on beech mast. Vessels made of beech wood were used in the Roman sacrifices, and the nut 
was in repute as a medicine. 
The beech is chiefly valued for its wood, but it is not considered by foresters in general as a timber tree, 
for it is neither strong nor durable : it is chiefly employed, from the closeness of its grain, for tool handles, 
and in machinery. Beech-nuts abound in oil, and a patent some years ago was taken out for its extraction, 
but it was found more profitable to fatten swine upon them, than to sell them to the patentee. Gerard says, 
“ Pliny also makes mention of this tree, but under the name of Ostrya, (if so be instead of Ostrya we must 
not reade Oxya.) It brings forth (saith he, meaning Greece,) the tree Ostrya, growing alone among watery 
stones, like to the ash tiee in barke and boughes, with leaues like those of the Peare tree, but somwhat 
longer and thicker, and with wrinkled cuts which run quite through, with a seed like in colour to a chestnut, 
and not to barley : the wood is hard and firme, which being brought into the house, there follows miserable 
deaths, as it is reported, and therefore it is to be forborn, and not used as fire wood, if Pliny’s copies be 
not corrupted. 
The leaves of the beech are very profitably applied to hot swellings, blisters, and excoriations : and 
being chewed, they are good for chapped lips, and paine of the gums.” 
In the language of Flowers, Beech says Prosperity. 
The changes which take place in the face of nature during this month, says Dr. Aikin of December, 
are little more than so many advances in the progress towards universal gloom and desolation. 
No mark of vegetable life is seen, 
No bird to bird repeats bis tuneful call, 
Save the dark leaves of some rude evergreen, 
Save the lone red-breast on the moss-grown wall. Scott. 
The day now rapidly decreases ; the weather becomes foul and cold ; and, as Shakespeare expresses it. 
The rain and wind beat dark December. 
In this climate, however, no great and continued severity of cold usually takes place before the close 
of the month. 
The festival of Christmas occurs very seasonably to cheer this comfortless period of the year. Great 
preparations are made for it in the country, and plenty of rustic dainties are provided for its celebration 
according to the rites of ancient hospitality. Thus the old year steals away scarcely marked, and unla- 
mented ; and a new one begins with lengthening days and brighter skies, inspiring fresh hopes and pleasing 
expectations. 
Mysterious round ! what skill, what force divine, 
Deep felt, in these appear ! a simple train, 
Yet so delightful mix’d, with such kind art, 
Such beauty and beneficence combin’d ; 
Shade, unperceiv’d, so softening into shade ; 
And all so forming an harmonious whole ; 
That, as they still succeed, they ravish still. 
Thomson. 
