The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-15
Christmas Trees.

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We are all familiar with the conyen-
tional Christmas tree, the eyergreenB
covered with toys, and splendent with
wax candles, icicles OF glass, and balls
OF glittering metal. Such are hallowed
by our memories OF childhood, OF
parents love, and OF friends perhaps no
more. Many OF us, too, are more or
less acquainted with the sombre pines,
frs, or spruces, which we adapt to our
winter decorations, but few are aware
how beautiful they appear in their for
est homes.
To be sure, in summer we cannot but
note the contrast between the lively
green's OF the deciduous trees, with
their light and delicate spray, and the
darker masses Of the coniferous foliage.
While ordinary trees, such as the elm,
the maple, and the oak, allow their prin-
cipal stems to dissolve, as 1t were, into
branches, the great pine family, as o
rule, subordinate the limbs to the main
trunk, and assume o pyramidal form.
BY this habit, and their peculiar fruch-
fication, we can always distinguish
them, varied rs their different forms
may be; but IL is in winter that they
are most noticeable, when they form
tho only green ornaments which nature
retains in her costume. They seem to
be given US in order that we may pre-
serve our faith in the coming summer,
and that we may not become totally
disheartened by the storms OF winter
and isolation.
It we'll repays one, after snow.storm,
to wander in the woods, 1t Is there
that the eyergreens may be seen In their
perfection. To the admiring eyes Of
waking childhood the highly ornNment-
al Christmas tree cannot be more beau-
tiful. The skeletons OF the naples,
beeches, and chestnuts, now seem
mournful enough; the more 80, per-
haps, from the fact that they still re-
tain within their trembling grasp .
handful OF their summer leaves. But
now is the holiday Of the eyergreens.
They wade knee-deep in snow; they
catch II as It falls, and weave OF It the
most wonderful coronets and garlands.
II we shake hands with some familiar
pine, the crystalized holy water falls
upon us like q blessing. And how
tasteful is the costume Of these trees
Here is ono, radiant with diamonds,
defying the imitation Of man; while an
other, near by, is clothed in bridal pu-
rity. As the cool breezes rock them
to and fro they Join in o gladstone snow
ball frolio, and pelt each other play
fully with tho woolly whiteness. Their
outline is distinct against tho clear
blue sky, which, with their concentra.
ton OF foliage, gives them a certain as
pect Of majesty.
The pines, with their ieathery foli-
age; tho stately hemlocks, with their
delicate traoery OF leaves; the sombrc
jumpers, and the arbor.yit@, all pre-.
sent different forms Of beauty, but there
are other, humber plants, used In our
Christmas decorations, upon which 1t
will be polite to call. We will meet
the red berry .elusters Of the ilex, look
ing very precious, where NIL else seems
dark; the caressing "Creeping Jenny
10 kind Of Lycopodium), and the noun
tain.laurel. In place OF the snowy
masses with which the latter beautides
the month Of June, are equally lovely
punches OF snow.aowers, the souls Of
tho departed still lingering about their
earthly homes. We will find the
princes pine still retaining its
glossy leaves, and perhaps here and
there may gather the rcd hips OF the
rose. But all these smaller plants be-
long to the summer months, and at this
season cannot compare with the knisht.
ly eyergreens-who, all too qsi5s i,
wave us their courteous adieu.