I took in the outset the type of a _triple_ but as the most general that could be given of all trees, because it represents a prevalently upright main tendency, with a capacity of branching on both sides. I would have shown the power of branching on _all_ sides if I could; but we must be content at first with the simplest condition. From what we have seen since of bud structure, we may now make our type more complete by giving each bud a root proportioned to its size. And our elementary type of tree plant will be as in Fig. 46. [Illustration: FIG. 46.] § 7. Now these three buds, though differently placed, have all one mind. No bud has an oblique mind. Every one would like, if he could, to grow upright, and it is because the midmost one has entirely his own way in this matter, that he is largest. He is an elder brother;--his birthright is to grow straight towards the sky. A younger child may perhaps supplant him, if he does not care for his privilege. In the meantime all are of one family, and love each other,--so that the two lateral buds do not stoop aside because they like it, but to let their more favored brother grow in peace. All the three buds and roots have at heart the same desire;--which is, the one to grow as straight as he can towards bright heaven, the other as deep as he can into dark earth. Up to light, and down to shade;--into air and into rock:--that is their mind and purpose for ever. So far as they can, in kindness to each other, and by sufferance of external circumstances, work out that destiny, they will. But their beauty will not result from their working it out,--only from their maintained purpose and resolve to do so, if it may be. They will fail--certainly two, perhaps all three of them: fail egregiously;--ridiculously;--it may be agonizingly. Instead of growing up, they may be wholly sacrificed to happier buds above, and have to grow _down_, sideways, roundabout ways, all sorts of ways. Instead of getting down quietly into the convent of the earth, they may have to cling and crawl about hardest and hottest angles of it, full in sight of man and beast, and roughly trodden under foot by them;--stumbling-blocks to many. Yet out of such sacrifice, gracefully made--such misfortune, gloriously sustained--all their true beauty is to arise. Yes, and from more than sacrifice--more than misfortune: from _death_. Yes, and more than death:--from the worst kind of death: not natural, coming to each in its due time; but premature, oppressed, unnatural, misguided--or so it would seem--to the poor dying sprays. Yet, without such death, no strong trunk were ever possible; no grace of glorious limb or glittering leaf; no companionship with the rest of nature or with man. [Illustration: FIG. 47.]