42 NOTICES OF REMARKABLE TREES IN NORTHUMBERLAND. 



on the north side, which takes off much from its dimension 

 at the base, and spoils the view of the fine, straight bowl. 

 It is growing on a light, gravelly soil, or freestone. Dimen- 

 sions at the ground, 14 ft. 9 in., and 1 yard above, 13 ft. 

 6 in. His partner, the Queen, is (as she ought to be) of 

 smaller dimensions, and stands about 20 yards east of the 

 King. This is also a fine specimen, has a better head than her 

 royal neighbour, but is inferior in length of bowl. At the 

 base she measures 14 ft. 5 in., and one yard above, 11 ft. 5 in. 



Some years ago a very near relative of mine was staying with 

 a nobleman in the South of England, and in a conversation he 

 had with the gardener, he said, " What splendid trees you have 

 in the park here." His reply was, " Yes, Sir, they are very 

 fine, but nothing compared to those in the North of England." 

 My relation, rather startled with the gardener's answer, said, 

 " Where are there any fine trees in the North?" "Ah, Sir," 

 replied the gardener, " if you could only see the King and Queen 

 Oaks at Netherwitton in Northumberland, you would never 

 mention these trees again." I need not say that the gardener 

 belonged to that place, or near it, and my relative was as well 

 acquainted, or perhaps better, than he was himself with these 

 fine trees. There is nothing like standing up well for one's own ; 

 and it reminds me of the general object of the old Newcastle 

 song, and particularly of that verse — 



"But if on Saint Nic'las ve once cast yor e'e, 

 Ye'U crack on't as lang as ye're levin'." 



It is in this spirit that I have endeavoured to write, but yet 

 with perfect truth and accuracy, for I have measured every 

 tree I have described, except one, and that was done for me 

 by my friend Mr. Creighton, of Morpeth; and I trust that 

 on some future day I may be able again to give you an 

 account of many other worthies yet unknown to me, but whose 

 acquaintance, I do not doubt, it will give me much pleasure to 

 make. In conclusion, I may remark that the age of trees is 

 often curiously connected with historical events, as, for example, 

 in the following instance : — I was told by an old man, near Matfen, 



