134 
HOSPITALITY. 
obtain it the candidate must be a citizen, — 
he must have killed an enemy, — restored a 
lost victory,—and have saved the life of a Ro¬ 
man. Scipio Africanus refused the civic 
crown after having saved his father’s life at 
the battle of Trebia ; he refused the crown be¬ 
cause the consciousness of having discharg¬ 
ed a sacred duty appeared to him to be a suf¬ 
ficient reward. In Epirus the oaks of Dodo- 
na gave out oracles; while the wide-spread¬ 
ing foliage of the Gallic oak concealed the 
mysterious sacrifices of the ancient Druids. 
With the Celts, who adored this tree, it was 
the emblem of hospitality, a quality so high¬ 
ly esteemed by them, that, next to their 
claims to bravery, they considered the title 
of “friend to the stranger” as the most to 
be desired. 
Hamadryads, fairies, and genii, no longer 
enchant our sombre forests; but the aspect of 
a majestic oak still fills us with admiration, 
and inspires us with respect and awe. When, 
full of youth and strength, it elevates its lofty 
head, and extends its immense branches, as¬ 
suming the character of a protector. De¬ 
spoiled of its verdure by the power of a thun¬ 
der shock, it resembles an old man, who, 
having outlived his generation, no longer 
takes an interest in the passing events of the 
world. The impetuous winds oft wrestle for 
the mastery with 
