4.0 NOTES UPON 



and slopes from the mansion to the garJen. Near tliis church, 

 and close to the side of the walk, there is a very ancient specimen 

 of the common Yew, still maintaining a healthy top, and about (30 

 feet high. The tree now measures 28 feet iu circumference, at 

 3 feet from the ground. The trunk is quite hollow ; but fresh 

 wood keeps forming round it. It is impossible to ascertain, 

 correctly, the age of the tree ; for the centre being gone, the 

 annual layers cannot be counted. Dubreujl, Notes sur VAccro- 

 issement lies Arhres Exogenes, mentions two Yews, in the cemetery 

 of La Haye-de-Routot, Eure, in Normandy, one of which was 29 

 feet 3 inches in circumference, at a mutre from the ground : and 

 the other 28 feet 6 inches. The oge of these he estimates at 

 1400 years, or, at all events, not less than 1400 years. 

 Their trunks were stated to be likewise completely hollow. 

 M. Dubreuil arrived at the above conclusion with regard to the 

 age of the trees, by the following means : He ascertained that 

 the annual layers of two Yews, comparatively young, growing in 

 the same locality as those in question, averaged about ~ of an 

 inch ; and, at this rate, he calculated the first two hundred years 

 of the existence of the Yew. He then counted 90 concentric 

 layers of one of the identical aged trees, and 74 layers of the 

 otiier; and he found the average thickness of these layers was 

 about -p§-y parts of an inch. From these data, it was deduced 

 that the age of these Yews was between 1400 and 1460 years. 

 Now, if we assume that the Yew at Hedsor has grown at the 

 same rate as those in Normandy, and allowing 20 years, which 

 would be the proportionate deduction for its somewhat less cir- 

 cumference, we must conclude that it is between 1380 and 1440 

 years old ; the mean of these would make its age upwards of one 

 thousand four hundred years. Although there are steep slopes in 

 its vicinity, it is evident that no material change of surface has 

 taken place in the spot where it grows during the long period of 

 its existence. 



CLEVEDEN. 



ONE OF THE SEATS OF HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND, IN 

 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 



The mansion at this place was destroyed by fire in 1795. 

 Another was built, which was likewise burned down some years 

 ago. But a noble edifice, by Barry, is now erected. This 

 requires the pleasure-grounds to be remodelled ; and, accordingly, 

 they are intended to be laid out in a very elegant style, judging 



