, 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 t> 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 
Al 
