Band 
[First volume.]
Seite
203
JPEG-Download
 

OF FOREST-TREES.

203

commonly for this tree into Flanders and Holland ; which indeed grows ch. xiv.not so naturally wild with us, to our excefsive cost, while our woods dpin some places spontaneously produce them; and though of somewhat asmaller leaf, yet altogether as good, and apt to be civilized and made

The leaves begin to open about the twelfth of April, are quite out by the eighteenthof the same month, and fall off very early in the autumn.

The timber of the Lime-tree is used by the carver, it being a soft light wood, as alsoby architects for framing the models of their buildings; the turners likewise use it formaking light bowls, dishes, &c. but it is too soft for any strong purpofes.

These trees will continue growing, and remain sound a great number of years; and,if planted in a good loamy soil, will grow to a considerable bulk. Mr. Miller measureda Lime which was near ten yards in girth two feet above the ground, and was thenin a very thriving condition; and Sir Thomas Brown mentions one of these trees whichgrew in Norfolk , that was sixteen yards in circumference a foot and a half above theground, and in the least part of the trunk eight yards and a half. It was in height thirtyyards. There is a large Lime-tree now growing in the heights above Villars, a seatbelonging to Mr. Graffenred of Berne, near Morat. It measures 36 feet in circumference,and in height is nearly ninety feet. In the pleasure-ground of the Palace at Bishopthorpe,belonging to the Archbishop of York, there is a noble walk of stately Lime-trees, which,as far as I know, exceeds any thing of the kind in this island.

... . . - - —a pillar’d shade

High over-arched.- paradise lost.

It was customary with the antients to crown themselves with garlands of roses andother flowers during their convivial entertainments, and these were artfully bound togetherwith slips of the inner rind of the Lime-tree.

Ebrius incinctis philyraeonviva capillis

Saltat, et imprudens utitur arte meri. ov. fast,

Displicent nex® philyra coron®. hor.

Suetonius relates that Nero spent upwards of 4,000,000 of sesterces, or about 30,000hat one supper, in roses. But it should be remarked that it was then the fashion, as now,to procure them prematurely, or out of season.

Mitte sectari rosa quo locorum

Sera moretur. hor,

Dat festinatas, Caesar, tibi bruma coronas.

Quondam veris erant, nunc tua facta rosa est. mart.

When the Emperor Julian entered Constantinople , he found the whole ImperialCourt immersed in the deepest luxury. Mamertinus tells us, that they had theirmiracula avium, longinqui maris pisces, alieni lemporis poma, asstivae nives, and hyberrue

rcs^e.

Kk 2