i6 7 ) 



The next tree I mall exhibit from New- 

 foreft, is the groaning-tree of Badefley ; a 

 village about two miles from Lymington. 

 The hiftory of the groaning-tree is this. 

 About forty years ago, a cottager, who lived 

 near the centre of the" village, heard frequently 

 a ftrange noife, behind his houfe, like that 

 of a perfon in extreme agony. Soon after, 

 it caught the attention of his wife, who was 

 then confined to her bed. She was a timorous 

 woman, and being greatly alarmed, her huf- 

 band endeavoured to perfuade her, that the 

 noife me heard, was only the bellowing of the 

 ftags in the foreft. By degrees, however, the 

 neighbours, on all fides heard it -, and the 

 thing began to be much talked of. It was 

 by this time plainly difcovered, that the 

 groaning noife proceeded from an elm, which 

 grew at the end of the garden. It was a 

 young, vigorous tree ; and to all appearance 

 perfectly found. 



In a few weeks the fame of the groaning 



tree was fpread far and wide ; and people from 



all parts flocked to hear it. Among others it 



attracted the curiofity of the late prince, and 



M 4 princefs 



