CHAP, xiii SYLVA 125 



4. The timber of a well-grown lime is convenient 

 for any use that the willow is ; but much to be 

 preferr'd, as being both stronger, and yet lighter ; 

 whence Virgil calls them tilias /eves ; and therefore 

 fit for yokes, and to be turn'd into boxes for the 

 apothecaries ; and Columella commends arculas tili- 

 aceas. And because of its colour, and easy working, 

 and that it is not subject to split, architects make 

 with it models for their designed buildings ; and the 

 carvers in wood, not only for small figures, but large 

 statues and intire histories, in bass, and high relieve ; 

 witness (besides several more) the lapidation of St. 

 Stephen, with the structures and elevations about it : 

 The trophies, festoons, frutages, encarpa, and other 

 sculptures in the frontoons, freezes, capitals, pedestals, 

 and other ornaments and decorations, (of admirable 

 invention and performance) to be seen about the choir 

 of St. Paul's and other churches ; royal palaces, and 

 noble houses in city and countrey. All of them, the 

 works and invention of our Lysippus, Mr. Gibbons ; 

 comparable, and for ought appears, equal to any thing 

 of the antients ; having had the honour (for so I 

 account it) to be the first who recommended this great 

 artist to his Majesty, Charles the n. I mention it 

 on this occasion, with much satisfaction. With the 

 twigs, they made baskets and cradles, and of the 

 smoother side of the bark, tablets for writing ; for the 

 antient Philyra is but our Tilia ; of which Munting 

 affirms, he saw a book made of the inward bark, 

 written about 1000 years since. Such another was 

 brought to the Count of St. Amant, Governor of 

 Arras, 1662, for which there was given 8000 ducats 

 by the Emperor, and that it contain'd a work of 

 Cicero, De Ordinanda Republica, & De Inveniendis Ora- 



