o 
With thunders from her native oak, 
She quells the floods below — 
As they roar on the shore, 
When the stormy tempests blow ; 
When the battle rages loud and long, 
And the stormy tempests blow.” 
How suitable is its appearance to its destination ! It 
looks as if made to contend with, and surmount, diffi¬ 
culties. Its deep, searching roots, its broad base, 
stout sinewy limbs, and knotted branches, all bespeak 
it fitted to war with the elements; whilst the quality 
of its timber, that of elasticity, toughness, and strength, 
points out its admirable adaptation to the wants of a 
naval country. “ Many lands of wood,” says Gilpin, 
“ are harder, as box and ebony; many kinds are 
tougher, as yew and ash; but it is supposed no species 
of wood— at least no species of timber — is possessed of 
both these qualities together in so great a degree as 
British oak.” But strength is not the only characteristic 
in the appearance of the oak : it combines beauty with 
strength; and the result is, a lordly dignity of aspect, 
which entitles it to be 
“ Sole king of forests all.’’ 
Virgil describes the oak, not only with the glow of a 
