the sugar-tree, though its autumn 

 foliage lacks the wealth of glory of 

 the sugar-maple; but the bark, 

 specially of the branches, of a soft 

 maple is something fine as an 

 etching, and to use the exquisite, 

 exact, and poetical eyesight of 

 MAPLE "Gert Jan Ridd" (than whom, 



none, not even Ruskin, sees nature with surer fidelity), is "like the bottom 

 of a red doe's foot." I can not speak of the maple bark to effect, nor can 

 it be photographed, nor painted, but I love to look on its finished beauty 

 by the hour, and hold my hand on its faint flame-color as if I were 

 warmed thereby. I make mention of this delicate bark, if haply I may 

 make more than myself lovers of this dainty doing of Nature's leisure 



