82 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



had from Lebanon, and that he then had a walk planted 

 with them. It was not until 1730 that the seeds ripened 

 in England, which they do now in a manner to leave no 

 fear of supply, without having cones from Lebanon. It 

 has been observed, that they ripen better in severe seasons 

 than in mild ones. 



The Cedar-wood, commonly knomi by that name in 

 England, is not from this tree, but is that of the Bermudas 

 Cedar, or Bermudas Juniper, Juniperus Bermudiana. 



Notwithstanding the objections made against Milton, 

 on that head, the Cedar has been generally characterized 

 by the poets as a lofty tree : — 



" So when Jove's bird on some tall cedar's head 

 Has a new race of generous eaglets bred, 

 While yet unplnmed within the nest they lie. 

 Wary she turns them to the eastern sky : 

 Then if, unequal to the god of day, 

 Abashed they shrink and shun the potent ray, 

 She spurns them forth and casts them quite away ; 

 But if with daring eyes unmoved they gaze, 

 "^rithstand the Hght and bear the golden blaze. 

 Tender she broods them with a parent's love 

 The future servants of her master Jove." 



Rowe's Lucaiij bookix. 



" No tree that is of count in greenwood grows. 

 From lowest juniper to cedar tall. 

 No flower in field that dainty odour throws 

 And decks his branch with blossoms over all. 

 But there was planted, or grew natural." 



Spexser. 



Spenser, in his Visions of the World's Vanity, supposes 

 one of these noble Cedars destroyed by a httle worm : 



" High on a hill a goodly cedar grew. 

 Of wondrous length and straight proportion. 



