'2S 
THE BEECH. 
FAGUS SYLVATICA. 
“ Not a beech but bears some cipher, 
Tender word, or amorous text.’’ 
To admire the beech, is to rebel against high authority; 
yet who, that is not entirely devoted to pictorial effect, 
but must admire it? The oak may excel it in dignity, 
the elm in beauty, and the ash in gracefulness: still the 
beech is a noble tree; and in spring, the bright sunny 
tint of its feathery foliage renders it a most attractive 
object. Its autumnal livery is also both rich and varied, 
and harmonises well with the other “ fading hues of the 
woods.” This even Gilpin allows, who in most other 
respects has dealt with it so unmercifully. He moreover 
gives it indirect praise, by admitting it has a defined 
character, which just before he had noticed as “ a great 
source of picturesque beauty.” But whilst lie shows it 
so little favour, a brother naturalist, White of Selbourne, 
says, “ it is one of the most beautiful and lovely of all 
the forest trees, whether we consider its stately trunk, 
its smooth silvery rind, its glossy foliage, or graceful, 
