THE MAPLE. 125 



appear unconscionable and incredible. Virgil erects 

 his throne for " the good Evander" of Maple, inlaid 

 with ivory : and Pliny gives an elaborate account of 

 its properties and value. The Maple rarely attains 

 any considerable size : " We seldom see it em- 

 ployed," says Gilpin, " in any nobler service than 

 in filling up its part in a hedge in company with 

 thorns, briars, and other ditch trumpery." In this 

 situation its value seems to be judged by the com- 

 pany it keeps, and to whose level it is generally re- 

 duced by the indiscriminating bill of the hedger. 

 Nevertheless, when it is spared to attain its full size, 

 it is beautiful in its character, if not dignified ; and is 

 capable of being made highly ornamental. " It is 

 the earliest sylvan beau that is weary of its sum- 

 mer suit, first shifting its dress to ochrey shades, 

 then trying a deeper tint, and lastly assuming an 

 orange vest. When first the Maple begins to autum- 

 nize the grove, the extremities of the boughs alone 

 change their colour, but all the internal and more 

 sheltered parts still retain their verdure, which gives 

 to the tree the effect of a great depth of shade, and 

 displays advantageously the light lively colouring of 

 the sprays." The constant excoriation of the bark 

 also produces a variety of hues, which render the 

 introduction of it very favourable to effect in land- 

 scape. 



