122 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



Dallaway, speaking of the Cypress-trees about Con- 

 stantinople, observes, that no accurate judgment of them 

 can be formed, from " the shrubs called Cypresses 

 which the climate of England allows us to rear." He 

 says, they are seldom seen there in the forests, but that 

 in the cemeteries and the environs of palaces it is 

 common to see them six feet in circumference, " with a 

 height proportioned to a pyramidal form."" 



This does not, however, give a very correct idea of 

 the height, since it is not the stem of the tree, but the 

 outline of the branches, which takes a pyramidal form. 

 W. Browne expresses it very curiously : 



" Cypresses that like piramides runne topping, 

 And hurt the least of any by their dropping.' 



Homer refers to its use in building : 



" Next came Ulysses lowly at the door, 

 A figure miserable, old, and poor, 

 In squalid vests, with many a gaping rent, 

 Propt on a staff, and trembling as he went. 

 Then resting on the threshold of the gate, 

 Against a cypress-pillar leaned his weight, 

 (Smoothed by the workmen to a polished plane) 

 The thoughtful son beheld, and called his swain." 



POPE'S Translation of the Odyssey, book xvii. 



As also does Virgil ; speaking of the barren woods 

 on Mount Caucasus, he says, even these afford useful 

 timber; the pine for ships, cedars and cypresses for 

 houses : 



" Navigiis pinos, domibus cedrurnque cupressosque." 



Georgic ii. 



