OF SELBORNE 273 



Now if it is recollected that we seldom see any other very 

 large or ancient tree in a church-yard but yews, this statute 

 must have principally related to this species of tree ; and 

 consequently their being planted in church-yards is of 

 much more ancient date than the year 1307. 



As to the use of these trees, possibly the more respect- 

 able parishioners were buried under their shade before 

 the improper custom was introduced of burying within 

 the body of the church, where the living are to assemble. 

 Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, ^ was buried under an oak ; the 

 most honourable place of interment probably next to the 

 cave of Machpelah,^ which seems to have been appropriated 

 to the remains of the patriarchal family alone. 



The farther use of yew-trees might be as a screen to 

 churches, by their thick foliage, from the violence of 

 winds ; perhaps also for the purpose of archery, the 

 best long bows being made of that material : and we do 

 not hear that they are planted in the church-yards of 

 other parts of Europe, where long bows were not so much 

 in use. They might also be placed as a shelter to the 

 congregation assembling before the church-doors were 

 opened, and as an emblem of mortality by their funereal 

 appearance. In the south of England every church-yard 

 almost has its tree, and some two ; but in the north, we 

 understand, few are to be found. 



The idea of R. C. that the yew-tree afforded its branches 

 instead of palms for the processions on Palm-Sunday, is a 

 good one, and deserves attention. See Gent. Mag. Vol. L. 

 p. 128. 



LETTER VI 



The living of Selborne was a very small vicarage; but, 

 being in the patronage of Magdalen-college, in the uni- 

 versity of Oxford, that society endowed it with the great 

 tithes of Selborne, more than a century ago : and since the 



1 Gen. XXXV. 8. ^ Gen. xxiii. 9. 



