OF FOREST-TREES. 



203 



commonly for this tree into Flanders and Holland ; which indeed grows CH. xiv. 

 not so naturally wild with us, to our excessive cost, while our woods do, 

 in some places, spontaneously produce them ; and though of somewhat a 

 smaller leaf, yet altogether as good, and apt to be civilized and made 



The leaves begin to open about the twelfth of April, are quite out by the eighteenth 

 of the same month, and fall off very early in the autumn. 



The timber of the Lime-tree is used by the carver, it being a soft, light woodj as also 

 by architects for framing the models of their buildings j the turners likewise use it for 

 making light bowls, dishes, &c. but it is too soft for any strong purposes. 



These trees will continue growing, and remain sound a great number of years ; and, 

 if planted in a good loamy soil, will grow to a considerable bulk. Mr. Miller measured 

 a Lime which was near ten yards in girth two feet above the ground, and was then 

 in a very thriving condition ; and Sir Thomas Brown mentions one of these trees which 

 grew in Norfolk, that was sixteen yards in circumference a foot and a half above the 

 ground, and in the least part of the trunk eight yards and a half. It was in height thirty 

 yards. There is a large Lime-tree now growing in the heights above Villars, a seat 

 belonging to Mr. Graffenred of Berne, near Morat. It measures 36 feet in circumference, 

 and in height is nearly 90 feet. In the pleasure-ground of the Palace at Bishopthorpe, 

 belonging to the Archbishop of York, there is a noble walk of stately Lime-trees, which, 

 as far as I know, exceeds any thing of the kind in this island : 

 a pillar'd shade 



High over- arched. ■ farad.ise lost. 



It was customary with the ancients to crown themselves with garlands of roses and 

 other flowers during their convivial entertainments, and these were ai'tfully bound together 

 with slips of the inner rind of the Lime-tree. 



Ebrius incinctis philyra conviva capillis 



Saltat, et imprudens utitur arte meri. pv. fast. 



Displicent nexae philyra coronas. hor. 



Suetonius relates that Nero spent upwards of 4,000,000 of sesterces, or about 30,000/. 

 at one supper, in roses. But it should be remarked that it was then the fashion, as now, 

 to procure them prematurely, or out of season. 



Mitte sectari rosa quo locorum 



Sera moretur. hor . 



Dat festinatas, Cassar, tibi bruma coronas. 



Quondam veris erant, nunc tua facta rosa est. mart,' 



When the Emperor Julian entered Constantinople, he found the whole Imperial 

 Court immersed in the deepest luxury. Mamertinus tells us, that they had their 

 miracula avium, longinqui maris pisces, alieni teraporis poma, sestivse nives, and hyhernce 

 rosoe. 



Kk2 



