THE COMMON MAPLE. ACER CAMPESTRE. "No tree in all the grove but has its charms, Though each its hue peculiar : Some glossy-leav'd and shining in the sun, The maple, and the beech of oily nuts THE common maple belongs to a genus containing many species, of which it seems to be the only undisputed native. It rarely grows to any size, being held in very little esteem, so little, that Gilpin remarks, "We seldom see it employed in any nobler service than in filling up its part in a hedge, in company with thorns. and briars and other ditch trumpery." But, though disregarded by the moderns, it can draw upon the past for fame; few trees having been in greater repute amongst the ancients. It is mentioned. by many of the classical writers. Virgil represents Æneas at the court of Evander as seated on a maple throne: "On sods of turf he set the soldiers round : A maple throne raised higher from the ground Doubtless that author selected it on account of the estimation in which it was held for ornamental works. "In the most high and palmy state of Rome," at least as refers to luxury and refinement, tables, and various other fancy articles, were made out of the knots or swellings of the wood, which, being often beautifully and curiously marked, commanded immense prices. Pliny gives the following description of this part of the timber: "The bruscum, or knur, is wonderfully fair, but the molluscum is counted most precious; both of them knobs and swellings out of the tree. The bruscum is more intricately crisped, the molluscum not so much; and, had we trees large enough to saw into tables, it would be preferred before the citron; but now they use it only for small table-books, and, with its thin boards, to wainscot bed testers. The bruscum is of a blackish kind, with which they make tables." Evelyn, after citing this quotation, goes on to state the enormous sums expended in that madly luxurious age on these fancies; and then remarks that, "when the men at any time reproached their wives for their wanton expensiveness in pearls and other rich trifles, they were wont to retort, and turn the tables upon their husbands." Hence is supposed to have originated the well-known proverb of turning the tables upon any one! Such is the by-gone fame of the maple; and, when we consider that its timber possesses the same beautiful veins and marks now as formerly, it is surprising it should not be in greater demand. A modern association connected with this tree, but of a totally different character from those already noticed, attaches great interest to it. Beneath a large maple in Boldre churchyard, in accordance with his own request, lie the remains of the Rev. William Gilpin, whose elegant and interesting work on "Forest Scenery" is familiar to most readers; and to which the author of this little work is indebted for much valuable information, which she takes this opportunity of gratefully acknowledging. The sycamore, or great maple, is one of the most noted species of this genus. If not indigenous, against which there seems a well-grounded suspicion, it is at least so far naturalised as to be admitted into Sir J. E. Smith's English Flora; where it is spoken of as "common, but not truly wild;" a testimony corroborated by that both of Gerarde and Parkinson, who mention it as a stranger in England, and " only planted in walkes and places of pleasure for the shadowe's sake." But, whether a native or a foreigner, it is a noble tree, and the richness and variety of its tints, both in spring and autumn, add so greatly to the beauty of the grove, that none can "unnoticed pass The sycamore, capricious in attire, Now green, now tawny, and, ere autumn yet Have chang'd the woods, in scarlet honours bright." On incision, the sycamore yields a liquid containing saccharine matter. This property is, indeed, common to other species of the maple family, one of which derives its distinctive title, Acer saccharinum, from the abundant supply of sugar contained in the sap. Before earthenware was so much in use as it now is, the wood both of the greater and lesser maple was in considerable demand for various household utensils. We are familiar with it in poetry, as furnishing those bowls and dishes which are as needful appendages to a hermit's cell, as a mirror to a lady's toilet: this seems implied in the following quotations : — "His dwelling, a recess in some rude rock, "Many a visitant Had sat within his hospitable cave; From his maple bowl the unpolluted spring Drunk fearless, and with him partook the bread 46 No tradition tells That ever hermit dipp'd his maple dish In the sweet spring that lurks mid yon green fields." "For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, His few books, or his beads, or maple-dish?" Some give to the sycamore alone the special honour of thus ministering to the frugal comfort of these mistaken recluses; but, as it was of comparatively late introduction, and as our own native maple was certainly used for domestic purposes, why may it not share this "help to fame?" "And may at last my weary age To something of prophetic strain.” |