On the 10th of August, 1842, the lightning struck our Lombardy Poplar tree, not far from the house, with' a crash as though the house itself had fallen in ruins. This tree, at 18 feet from the ground, branches out into three principal leaders. The one which faces the west received the full force of the thunderstorm, and it exhibited an excavation of 26 feet in length, and at one part of 22 inches in breadth. Independent of this sad stroke at the western side of the tree, its bole to the north was struck at the same time, and denuded of its bark to the extent of 6 feet by 14 inches. Some idea may be formed of the vast injury which this tree received when the reader learns that I picked up fragments of its wood full 50 yards from the spot where it stands.

After a close inspection of the lacerated parts I conjectured that there was still enough of solid wood remaining to resist the violence of the wintry wind. Having cut out all the shattered parts, I placed a series of thick slates on a solid bed of mortar, quite up to where the tree takes its three leaders: thus forming a hard and permanent covering of 18 feet in extent. At the edges of the slates we applied Roman cement nicely sloped off; so that the future wood and bark might have an easy passage over them, at each returning season for increase of growth. Thus, all being rendered safe from wind and rain we ceased our work, and left the tree to Nature's healing care. She has not disappointed us. Yesterday I got up into the tree and I inspected minutely the injured parts throughout their whole extent. Their condition was prosperous in every point of view. The new wood and bark have rolled over the slates to a close or joining within 11 inches, binding the slates down in an everlasting prison.

A Spanish proverb says: "Thou art welcome, evil, if thou comest alone." But, in this instance, our poor Poplar could not have such a consolation; for another thunder-storm broke over it, and the lightning struck it on the northern side, riving off the bark for a space of 33 feet in length, and at places of 15 inches in width. Singular to tell, no apparent injury was inflicted on the wood itself. The bark alone had suffered, so that a new supply of slates and mortar was not required. This victim to the lightning's fearful rage is now in health and vigor, whilst its summer foliage is of as rich a hue as that of its surrounding neighbors, Should future tempests spare it the tree will be quite right again in a few years more; and its bole will be as beautiful as I remember it in times long gone by. The day may come when this Lombardy Poplar's history shall be forgotten. Then, should it be felled to serve domestic purposes, woe to the carpenter's axe and 6aw! They will have hard work when they shall have penetrated into the interior of the tree.

From this brief account, the admirer of trees may learn that it may be in his power to do wonders with them in their hour of accident, provided that he goes the right way to work, and lets Dame Nature have her own wise course. A lofty and majestic tree is a jewel of inestimable beauty on a villa's lawn, and is worthy of the owner's utmost care. - Charles Waterton, Walton Ball.