Page:The Atlantic Monthly Volume 6.djvu/272

 264 Among the Trees. [September, that she has not conferred upon them a who protects it. Some noble Hemlocks more beneficent gift. are occasionally seen in rude situations, As an object of sight, the White Pine where the cultivator's art has not inter- is free from some of the defects of the rupted their spontaneous growth ; and Fir and Spruce, having none of their the poet and the naturalist are inspired stiffness of foliage and inflexibility of with a more pleasing admiration of their spray, that cause them to resemble artifi- beauty, because they have seen them on- cial objects. It has the symmetry of the ly where the solitary birds sing their wild Fir, joined with a certain flowing grace notes, and where the heart is unmolested that assimilates it to the deciduous trees, by the crowding tumult of human settle- With sufficient amplitude to conceal a ments. look of primness that often arises from The Pitch Pine has neither grace nor symmetry, we observe a certain negli- elegance, and though it is allied botani- gent flowing of its leafy robes that adds cally to the pyramidal trees, it approach- to its dignity a grace which is apparent es the shape of the round-headed trees, to all. It seems to wear its honors like There is a singular ruggedness about it ; one who feels no constraint under their and when bristling all over with the stiff burden ; and when smitten by a tempest, foliage that sometimes covers it from the it bids no defiance to the gale, bending extremities of the branches down almost to to its wrath, but securely resisting its the roots, it cannot fail to attract observa- power. tion. Trees of this species, for the most Of the American coniferous trees, the part too rough and homely to please the Hemlock is of the next importance, be- eye, are not generally valued as objects ing, perhaps, in its perfection, a more in the landscape ; but there is a variety beautiful tree than the White Pine, or in their shape that makes amends for than any other known evergreen. It is far their want of comeliness, and gives them less formal in its shape than other trees a marked importance. We do not in of the same family. Its branches, being general sufficiently appreciate the value slender and flexible, do not project stiffly of homely objects among the scenes of from the shaft ; they bend slightly at Nature, which are, indeed, the ground- their terminations, and are easily moved work of all charming scenery, and set off by the wind ; and as they are very nu- to advantage the beauty of more comely merous, and covered with foliage, we be- things. They prepare us, by increasing hold in the tree a dense mass of glitter- our susceptibility, to feel more keenly the ing verdure, not to be seen in any other force of beauty in other objects. They tree of the forest. give rest and relief to the eye, after it The Hemlock is unknown as a shade- has experienced the stimulating effects of tree ; it is seldom seen by the road-side, beautiful forms and colors, which would except on the edge of a wood, and not soon pall upon the sense ; and they are often in cultivated grounds. The want interesting to the imagination, by leaving of success usually attending the trans- it free to dress the scene with the wreaths plantation of it from the woods has pre- of fancy. vented the general adoption of it as an It is from these reflections that I have ornamental tree. The Hemlock, when been led to prize many a homely tree as transplanted from the wood, is almost sure possessing a high value, by exalting the to perish ; for Nature will not allow it to impressions of beauty which we derive be desecrated by any association with Art. from other trees, and by relieving Nature She reserves it for her own demesnes ; of that monotony which would attend a and if you would possess one, you must scene of unexceptional beauty. This mo- go to its native spot and plant your gar- notony is apparent in almost all dress- den around it, and take heed, lest, by ed grounds of considerable extent. We disturbing its roots, you offend the deity soon become entirely weary of the ever-