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Tliis twig he planted in his garden; it soon became a 
fine tree, and from it all our weeping willows have 
descended. This particular tree was felled in 1801; 
a circumstance which one cannot help regretting. The 
Salix babyloniea is generally planted by a still pool, to 
which it is a beautiful and appropriate ornament; and 
when in misty weather drops of water are seen distilling 
from the extremities of its branches, nothing can be more 
descriptive than the title it has obtained of weeping 
willow. 
In ages past, where Babel’s mighty waters 
Roll’d darkly onward, sat a weeping band, 
Poor remnant of proud Judah’s sons and daughters, 
Captives and exiles from their fatherland. 
And while their tears they mingled with the billow, 
And while their foes the bitter taunt still flung, 
Sing us the songs of Zion,”—on the willow 
Their sileut harps with mournful meaning hung. 
