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A DISCOURSE

book i much more perspicuous and ample by the application of a goodmicroscope*. But above all, notable for these extravagant damaskings* Not in- and characters, is the Maple ; and it is notorious that this tree is very fullli&/s‘days Pa ' of branches from the root to its very summit, by reason that it producesno considerable fruit: These arms being frequently cut, the head is more•surcharged with them, which spreading, like so many rays from a centre,,form tluTt hollownefs at the top of the stem whence they shoot, capable-of containing a good quantity of water every time it rains; this sinkinginto the pores, as was before hinted, is compelled to divert its course,as it pafses through the body of the tree, wherever it encounters theknot of any of these branches which Were cut off from the stembecause their roots not only deeply penetrate towards the heart, but arelikewise of themselves very hard and impervious ; and the frequentobliquity of this course of the subsiding moisture, by reason of theseobstructions, is, as may be conceived, the cause of those curious works-which we find remarkable in this and other woods, whose branches. grow thick from the stem. But for these curious contextures, consultrather the learned Dr. Grew. We have showed how by culture, andstripping up, it arrives to a goodly tree; and surely there were someof them of large bulk, and noble shade, that Virgil should choose it forthe court of his Evander (one of his worthiest Princes* in his bestof Poems) sitting on his Maple-throne r ; and when he brings iEneas intothe Royal cottage, he makes him this memorable compliment: “ Greater,”says great Cowley, “ than ever was yet spoken at the Escurial , theLouvre,.or Whitehall;”

--Hajc, inquit, liraina victor

Alcides subiit; hsec ilium regia cepit.

Aude, hospes, contemnere opes, et te quoque dignumFinge Deo, rebusque veni non asper egenis.

This humble roof, this rustick court; said he,

Receiv’d Alcides crown’d with victory: .

Scorn not, great guest, the steps where lie has trod,But contemn wealth, and imitate a god.

t -Solioque invitat acerno,

.JENEID, riii.

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