( 97 ) 



is now, the bafis of our ftrength. Of it the 

 old Englifh yeoman made his long-bow ; 

 which, he vaunted, nobody but an Englim- 

 man, could bend. In mooting he did not, 

 as in other nations, keep his left hand fteady, 

 and draw his bow with his right : but keeping 

 his right at reft upon the nerve, he prefied 

 the whole weight of his body into the horns 

 of his bow*. Hence probably arofe the Eng- 

 lifh phrafe of bending a bow ; and the French 

 of drawing one. 



Nor is the yew celebrated only for it's 

 toughnefs, and elafticity ; but alfo for it's 

 durable nature. Where your paling is moft 

 expofed either to winds, or fprings ; ftrengthen 

 it with a poft of old yew. That hardy veteran 

 fears neither ftorms above, nor damps below. 

 It is a common faying amongft the inhabitants 

 of New-foreft, that a poft of yew will out- 

 laft a poft of iron. 



Thus much for the utility, and dignity of 

 the yew. As to it's pifturefque perfections, 

 I profefs myfelf (contrary I fuppofe to general 

 opinion) a great admirer of it's form, and 



* See Bp. Latimer's fermons. Serm. VJ. 



VOL. i. H foliage. 



