Holly. 
(FORESIGHT.) 
“ I, in this wisdom of the holly-tree can emblems see.” 
Southey. 
I F ever any production of nature testified to the superin¬ 
tending care of a Supreme Being, it is the Holly; that 
evergreen bush which “ outdares cold winter’s ire,” and with 
its shining green foliage and brilliant red berries, forms such 
a cheerful contrast with the general lifelessness of the British 
landscape in winter. In frost, in snow, in sun or rain, its glossy 
leaves are ever seen beaming brightly, inspiriting dreary hearts 
to renewed hopes and exertions. 
This tree, apart from its slow growth, is admirable for the 
formation of hedges. As soon as it attains any size, it con¬ 
stitutes an impenetrable fence against all kinds of intruders, 
animal or human. Its leaves are a favourite food with some 
creatures, but the sharp prickles with which those on the lower 
branches are provided repel all depredators : it is strange to 
observe that the leaves upon the upper portion of the tree, 
and which are out of the reach of assailants, dispense with 
their thorns, and, as if conscious of their security, grow per¬ 
fectly smooth. This remarkable adaptation of nature to the 
law of self-preservation is noticed by Southey, in his address 
to the holly-tree, a simple poem that will be read and admired 
long after all his ponderous epics have been consigned to obli¬ 
vion : 
“ O reader ! hast thou ever stood to see 
The holly-tree 
The eye that contemplates it well perceives 
Its glossy leaves 
Ordered by an Intelligence so wise, 
As might confound the atheist’s sophistries. 
