16^ 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



Chatterton compares the colour of the Filbert to that 

 of a lady's hair : 



Browne as the fylberte droppyng from the shelle, 

 Browne as the nappy ale at Hocktyde game, 



So browne the crokyde rynges, that featlie fell 

 Over the neck of the all beauteous dame." 



Battle of Hastings. 



The Hazel is well-known as a favourite haunt of the 

 squirrel : 



" Upon whose nutty top 



A squirrel sits, and wants no other shade 

 Than what by his own spreading tail is made ; 

 He culls the soundest,, dext'rously picks out 

 The kernels sweet, and throws the shells about." 



Cowley. 



We are told by Virgil, and Virgil is a great authority, 

 that the Hazel has been, more honoured than the vine, 

 the myrtle, or the bay itself : 



" Populus Alcidae, gratissima vitis laccho 

 Formosae myrtus Veneri, sua laurea Phoebo ; 

 Phyllis amat corylos ; illas dum Phyllis amabit. 

 Nee myrtus vincet corylos, nee laurea Phoebi." 



JEclogue vii. 



Rendered by Dryden : 



" The poplar is by great Alcides worn ; 

 The brows of Phoebus his own bays adorn ; 

 The branching vine the jolly Bacchus loves : 

 The Cyprian queen delights in myrtle groves ; 

 "With hazel Phyllis crowns her flowing hair ; 

 And while she loves that common wreath to wear. 

 Nor bays, nor myrtle boughs with hazel shall compare." 



There is one great virtue in the Hazel-nut, which we 

 have pleasure in making known to our readers. It is true 



