876 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



Observe also when the wahiut tree shall put on its bloom 

 plentifully in the woods^ and bend down its strong smelling 

 branches ; if it abounds in fruity you will have a like quantity of 

 corn, and a great threshing, with much heat. But if it abounds 

 with a luxuriant shade of leaves, in vain shall your floor thresh 

 the corn, which abounds with nothing but chaff." — (Martyn's 

 Translation.) 



Most of the translators have rendered m{jc the almond 

 tree ; but Martyn has very clearly made it out to be the 

 Walnut tree. If it might be allowed to change two 

 words of Dry den's version, it would remove the error : 



^' Mark well the flowering Walnuts in the wood ; 

 If numerous blooms the bearing branches load 

 The glebe will answer to the sylvan reign. 

 Great heats will follow, and large crops of grain, 

 ^ But if a wood of leaves o'ershade the tree, 

 Such, and so barren will thy harvest be ; 

 In vain the hind shall vex the threshing floor. 

 For empty chaff and straw will be thy store." 



Walnuts were commonly strewed at the Roman wed- 

 dings. " This ceremony,"' says Dr. Hunter, " w^as to 

 show that the bridegroom had left off all boyish amuse- 

 ments." 



Horace speaks of some game played with nuts by 

 the Roman boys, — with nuts and little bones*. 



— Postquam te talos, Aule, nucesque 



Ferre sinu laxo, donare et ludere vidi." 



Satire iii. book 2. 



" You, Aulus, during your childhood, I have observed to carry 

 your bones and nuts carelessly in your bosom, to play them boldly^ 

 and make presents of them to your companions." 



* A game is still played by schoolboys in France, which they 

 call osselets, (little bones,) in which are used the ankle-bones of 

 sheep, ground square. 



