98 



la Prussia in times of great scarcity the branches and 

 leaves of the Mistletoe have been used, says Bock, (Nat. Hist, of 

 Prussia, Vol. iii. p. 367) powdered and mixed with rye flour, 

 to make bread, which is by no means unwholesome. In this 

 County before turnips were so abundantly grown, the plant used 

 regularly to be given to sheep in frosty or snowy weather. 



"If snowe do continue, sheepe hardly that fare 

 Crave mistle and ivie for them for to spare." 



(Tusser's Husbandry.) 



There can be no question, however, that the chief virtue as- 

 cribed to Mistletoe from the Oak by the Druids was the "fructify- 

 ing quality," as Taliesin has it, or of "giving fertility to all ani- 

 mals" as described by Pliny; and it was for this virtue, when 

 worn as an amulet, or when drunk in infusion, that the sprig of 

 Mistletoe was so anxiously sought from the hands of the Arch- 

 Druid on the New-year's day festival. It is always necessary to re- 

 member this in endeavouring to trace down the domestic history 

 of the Mistletoe in succeeding ages. It explains fully the perso- 

 nal hold it had gained in the esteem of the people — and its con- 

 tinued private use in spite of all opposition. Though books ceased 

 to mention it, tradition would perpetuate its use, and it will be 

 shewn presently to have done so, even to our own day. 



This peculiar virtue may perhaps serve to explain some 

 points wdth regard to it, which have not been otherwise satis- 

 factorily accounted for. "In one of Colepeper's M.S.S. at the 

 British Museum in a curious notice of Sir Peter Freschville's 

 house at Stavely, Derbyshii-e, is this passage : "Heare my Lord 

 Freschville did live, and heare grows the famous Mistletoe tree, 

 the only oake in England that bears Mistletoe, f and to this tree 

 the following letter from The Countess of Danby to Mrs. Cole- 

 peper probably refers. It is without date but was written be- 

 tween the years 1663 and 1682. 



f The remains of the Oak still exist, and the Mistletoe was there 

 in 1803, but it has long since disappeared. 



