The Maplecroft Carving

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:42 pm

In the recent issue of 'The Hatchet', I read that Allen found the source for the carving ".... when my fire burns low". Can someone please tell me where it is on here? Many thanx.

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:26 pm

See When My Fire Burns Low thread in Stay to Tea:

viewtopic.php?t=646&highlight=allen

Scroll down to allen's post of September 18,2007.

Glad Lizzie didn't carve "When my cows come home."

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:31 pm

Thank you, nbcatlover! I hadn't seen it on here before. That's what happens when you don't visit the Forum frequently.

This find is something to celebrate! I've looked for it, too, and came up empty handed. Another mystery solved!

Congratulations, Melissa!

What a find!

I always thought the word "plays" might have been for Lizzie's love of the theatre. "Old true friends" really sounds like Lizzie. I would think she cherished them. "When my fire burns low" always seemed to me that it suited Lizzie. She probably had her share of down moments.

It's such a beautiful poem. The last line on the mantle carving is such an improvement over the 'cow' line.

Well, somebody had to have carved it. I don't think Lizzie picked it up at McWhirr's. Has anyone looked for the artisan's initials, or some kind of mark?

Offhand, it looks like it's older than when Lizzie moved in. But if it had Scottish tie-ins, I'd vote for her having it done. Maybe a city directory would show where wood carvers were located in FR. Maybe she got it done in Boston. It looks like she liked carved things with "Maplecroft" on her steps. Does anyone know who did the "Maplecroft" carving?

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:16 pm

On a happy note, we had discussed this mantel being removed and replaced a while back. Last weekend LeeAnn said it was the mantel at the other end of the house, Lizzie's so-called Summer Bedroom, which had its mantle replaced- not the poem mantel. What a relief. I just got this from her last weekend. The confusion came from which bedroom. The one she added on over the kitchen (with ensuite bath) had a not very remarkable mantelpiece, which is now replaced with a rosy marble one. Actually, I have always had my doubts as to whether the very large front of the house chamber was ever actually a bedroom. I think it was more of a second floor reception room for close intimates which probably had a daybed in it, settees for lady friends in front of the fire, and a chaise lounge maybe. With the double french glass-paned doors going into it from the hall, and the nearest toilet quite a jaunt to the back of the house, I can't imagine using it as a bedroom in the winter.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:12 pm

Thanks augusta

. I was pretty excited when I found it. The first thing that popped into my head was," I have to share this with the other members on the forum

" Thanks for posting the link to the thread nb.

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:05 pm

Allen - It would be good if your find were put up on Stef's website under 'new research'. It would have made a great article for 'The Hatchet'. I wish you would do one that tells how you found it, where it was, and gives the original poem. I think what you found - at last! - should be preserved in a more permanent, prominent place. You discovered a very important find. It's always been a big mystery to some of us. Another nomination for the Lizbeth Wall of Fame!