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 

 reduced 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 summer 

 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 autumnize 

 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 eifect 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 intro- 

 duction of it very favourable to effect in landscape. 



