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whole woods of these trees for divers miles in circuit (as 
in diose delicious groves of them belonging to the 
honourable, my noble friend, the late Sir Adam Brown 
of Beachworth Castle), might, without the least violence 
to his imagination, easily fancy himself transported into 
some new or enchanted country; for, if in any spot of 
England, — 
- 4 ’T is here 
Eternal spring and summer all the year. ’ ” 
Of all British trees, the box grows the most slowly; 
which accounts for the heavy, hard, and compact nature 
of the wood; qualities that make it very valuable for all 
those works in the construction of which the utmost 
nicety and precision are required, such as mathematical 
and musical instruments. 
This tree is mentioned by various classical writers. 
In reference to its constant verdure, Homer exclaims, — 
“ Thy groves of box, Cytorus! ever green.** 
Its applicability to many useful purposes appears to 
have been well known to the ancients. Virgil alludes 
to its fitness for the turner’s trade; and Ovid, to its be¬ 
ing employed for flutes or pipes. He says, “ Neither does 
