114 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



" especially the roots of the wilder sort : incomparable 

 for its crisped undulations." 



The wild Cypress here mentioned was used among 

 the great in Rome for beds and tables : it was esteemed 

 for the spots and figures in the wood, from which the 

 tables were called Mensa Tigrince et Pantherince. With 

 them it bore the name of Citron ; and is mentioned by 

 that name in Lucan's Pharsalia : 



" On every side proud palaces arise, 

 And lavish gold each common use supplies. 

 Their father's frugal tables stand abhorred, 

 And Asia now and Afric are explored, 

 For high-priced dainties, and the citron board." 



HOWE'S Lucan, book i. 



In old times the Cypress was held sacred to Pluto 

 and Proserpine ; and was used at funerals, especially of 

 persons of fashion : 



" Et non plebeios luctus testata cupressus " 



Book iii. 



says Lucan ; which Rowe thus translates : 



" The eypress by the noble mourner worn." 



It was either placed before the house, or in the ves- 

 tibule, that no person about to perform any sacred rites 

 might enter a place polluted with a dead body. It has 

 been said that the Cypress was selected on these melan- 

 choly occasions, because this tree, being once cut down, 

 never springs up again. Evelyn justly remarks, that in 

 this view it would be an improper emblem in a Christian 

 country. " The use of evergreens, 1 " says he, " is yet 

 not uncommon among us ; but they are supposed to be 

 significant of immortality, at the same time that their 



