348 



THE planter's GUIDE. 



under a strict entail. The nses, however, of the tree are 

 associated with some pleasing recollections. 



The wood of the Lime, according to Evelyn, if well 

 grown, is applicable to most purposes which the Willow 

 supplies, and is superior to it in being stronger as well as 

 lighter. It is in use by the turner for light bowls, boxes, 

 and dishes. Its charcoal is celebrated, and is said to 

 make as good gunpowder as that of the Alder itself. One 

 circumstance should recommend the Lime to all lovers of 

 the imitative arts. No wood is less subject to the worm, 

 or so easily formed under the carver s chisel. The cele- 

 brated Gibbon (whom Evelyn not without justice styles 

 the English Lysippus, and whom he successfully recom- 

 mended to Charles II.) always used it for that curious 

 and elegant sculpture with which this ingenious artist 

 adorned St Paul's Cathedral, the Duke of Devonshire's at 

 Chatsworth, Trinity College Library, Cambridge, together 

 with several of the old houses of the nobility. 



Evelyn likewise, with whom the tree is a favourite, 

 yery loyally reminds us, that " its extraordinary candour 

 and lightness has dignified it above aU the woods of our 

 forest, in the hands of the white staff-officers of his 

 Majesty's imperial household."'" The stately Limes in St 

 James's Park were planted at the suggestion of Evelyn 

 for the improvement of the air of that neighbourhood, as 

 pointed out in his Fumifugium, in the same way as they 

 are planted in Holland along the sides of the canals, 

 where their flowers surprisingly refresh and perfume the 

 air during the months of July and August. 



It seems to be clearly ascertained, that the ancient 

 Philyra was the Tilia or Lime tree. By the Greeks its 

 wood was made into bottles, which they finely rosined 



* Silva, vol. i. p. 206.— Edit. Hunter. 



