rinciple--they are blemishes and not ornaments.
No one more scrupulously respects a sound and shapely tree than Mr.
Gladstone; and if he is prone to condemn those that show signs of decay,
he is always ready to listen to any plea that may be advanced on their
behalf by other members of the family. In this, as in other matters,
doubtful points will of course arise; but there can be no question that a
policy of inert conservatism is an entire mistake. Besides the natural
growth and decay of trees, a hundred other causes are ever at work to
affect their structure and appearance; and the facts of the landscape,
thus continually altering, afford sufficient occupation for the eye and
hand of the woodman. It was late in life that Mr. Gladstone took to
woodcutting. Tried first as an experiment, it answered so admirably the
object of getting the most complete exercise in a short time that, though
somewhat slackened of late, it has never been abandoned. His procedure
is characteristic. No exercise is taken in the morning, save the daily
walk to morning service but between 3 and 4 in the afternoon he sallies
forth, axe on shoulder, accompanied by one or more of his sons. The
scene of action reached, there is no pottering; the work begins at once,
and is carried on with unflagging energy. Blow follows blow, delivered
with that skill which his favourite author {33a} reminds us is of more
value to the woodman than strength, together with a force and energy that
soon tells its tale on the tree

* * * * Illa usque minatur
Et tremefacta comam concusso vertice nutat,
Vulneribus donec paulatim evicta supremum
Congemuit, traxitque jugis avulsa ruinam.

_Virgil OEn II._ 626

"It still keeps nodding to its doom,
Still bows its head and shakes its plume,
Till, by degrees o'ercome, one groan
It heaves, and on the hill lies prone."

_Conington's Translation_.

At the advanced age he has now attained, it can hardly be expected that
Mr. Gladstone can very frequently indulge in what has been his favourite
recreation for the past twenty-five years. The present winter {34}
however saw the fall of at least one large tree, in which he took a full
share--a Spanish chestnut, measuring 10ft. at the top of the face, and
those who were present can testify to the undiminished vigour with which
the axe was wielded on that occasion.

Parish and District of Hawarden.

The Parish of Hawarden is a very ext