31 
grand mistake; or rather, for that he had not travelled 
much up into the country.” 
The beech is a bad neighbour, encroaching so shame¬ 
lessly on the domains of its sylvan brethren, that a wood 
or copse planted half oak, half beech, will in time become 
altogether beechen; the oak being entirely beaten from 
the field. 
The wood of the beech, being obnoxious to the worm, 
is not very durable, except when kept under water, when 
it is said to be little inferior to the elm for shipbuilding. 
We must not forget its classical celebrity, in furnishing 
the cups which Menalcus risked against the heifer of 
Damoetas, in their trial of minstrel skill: — 
“ But since you purpose to be mad to-day, 
Two beechen cups I scruple not to lay 
(Whose far superior worth yourself will own), 
The labour'd work of famed Alcimedon. 
liaised round the brims by the engraver’s care, 
The flaunting vine unfolds its foliage fair; 
Entwined the ivy’s tendrils seem to grow. 
Half-hid in leaves its mimic berries glow'. 
Two figures rise below, of curious frame, 
Conon, and — what s that other sage’s name, 
Who with his rod described the world’s vast round, 
taught when to reap, and when to till the ground? 
At home I have reserved them unprofaned, 
No lip has e’er their glossy polish stain’d.” 
