John Burroughs, the naturalist and writer on nature, recently celebrated his seventy-ninth birthday by having a maple sugar boil with his grandchildren. They made “maple taffy,” which is the result of boiling maple sap over an open fire and then cooling it on snow. Mr. Burroughs says that “maple taffy” is a good name for it and adds that he is just as strong as any of his grandchildren.
Recently, Mr. Burroughs had his portrait painted by Princess Lwoff-Parlaghy, which he was very pleased with. The unveiling of the portrait was used as an excuse for a second birthday celebration. The portrait shows Mr. Burroughs with his keen, twinkling eyes and long white beard, making him look like an ideal “grandfather.” However, the portrait does not indicate any slippered ease, as the figure is seated but poised and ready to rise. This alertness is characteristic of John Burroughs at 79, just as it has been during his long period of work.
Note: “Lockjaw” is not the correct term for maple taffy, and boiling sap to make maple taffy is typically done over a stove, not an open fire.
