HORSE-CHESTNUT. 
77 
HORSE-CHESTNUT. 
lUXUKT. 
It is more than two centuries since the Horse- 
chestnut has been an inhabitant of our climate ; and 
nevertheless it is not yet observed to mingle its 
superb head with the crowd of trees indigenous to 
our forests. Its delight is to embellish parks, to 
adorn superb mansions, and to throw its broad shadow 
over the palaces of kings. 
One showery day in the commencement of spring 
suffices to invest this beautiful tree with all the 
richness of its verdure. When it grows by itself, 
nothing can be compared with the mingled magnifi¬ 
cence and elegance of its pyramidal form, the beauty 
of its foliage, and the richness of its flowers, which 
give it the appearance of an immense chandelier 
covered with innumerable girandoles. Ever attached 
to pomp and profusion, it covers with flowers the 
green turf which it protects with its shadow, and 
yields to pleasure its most delicious seclusion. But 
