POPLAR. 247 



derives a name from the Low Dutch word abeel, de- 

 scriptive of its hoary or aged colour is extremely pic- 

 turesque. 



Evelyn relates that the wood of the white poplar is 

 sought for by the sculptor ; and history informs us, that 

 in old times swords and bucklers were made of the same 

 material. Evelyn also mentions " that in three years 

 abeles attain incredible altitude, that in twelve they become 

 as big as a man's body, and that in eighteen or twenty 

 they arrive at full perfection ; for which celerity," he adds, 

 " we may recommend them to such late builders as seat 

 their houses in naked and unsheltered places, and that 

 would put a guise of antiquity upon any new enclosure, 

 since by these, whilst a man is on a voyage of no con- 

 tinuance, his house and lands may be so covered as to be 

 hardly known at his return." 



One of the finest specimens may be seen beside a lane 

 which bounds the pleasure-grounds of Brockhall, in 

 Northamptonshire. That tree has stood there for many 



