OF SELBORNE. 19 
danced before them. Long might it have stood, 
had not the amazing tempest in 1703 overturned it 
at once, to the infinite regret of the inhabitants and 
the vicar, who bestowed several pounds in setting 
it in its place again; but all his care could not 
avail; the tree sprouted for a time, then withered 
and died. This oak I mention, to show to what a 
bulk planted oaks also may arrive; and planted 
this tree must certainly have been, as appears from 
what is known concerning the antiquities of the 
village. 
On the Blackmoor estate there is a small wood 
called Losel’s, of a few acres, that was lately fur- 
nished with a set of oaks of a peculiar growth and 
great value; they were tall and taper like firs, but 
standing near together, had very small heads—only 
a little brush, without any large limbs. About 
twenty years ago, the bridge at the Toy, near 
Hampton Court, being much decayed, some trees 
were wanted for the repairs that were fifty feet long 
without bough, and would measure twelve inches 
diameter at the little end. Twenty such trees did 
a purveyor find in this little wood, with this ad. 
vantage, that many of them answered the descrip- 
tion at sixty feet. These trees were sold for 202. 
apiece. . 
In the centre of this grove there stood an oak, 
which, though shapely and tall on the whole, bulged 
out into a large excrescence about the middle of the 
stem. On this a pair of Ravens had fixed their 
residence for such a series of years, that the oak 
was distinguished by the title of the Raven-tree. 
Many were the attempts of the neighbouring youths 
to get at this eyry: the difficulty whetted their in- 
