THE OAK 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTION 



FAMOUS in poetry and prose alike, the oak must always 

 be for Englishmen a subject of interest, around which 

 historical associations of the most varied character are 

 grouped ; but although what may be termed the senti- 

 mental aspect of the ' British oak ' is not likely to dis- 

 appear even in these days of ironclads and veneering, it 

 must be allowed that the popular admiration for the 

 sturdy tree is to-day a very different feeling from the 

 veneration with which it was regarded in ancient times ; 

 and that, with the calmer and more thoughtful ways of 

 looking at this and other objects of superstition, a cer- 

 tain air of romance seems to have disappeared which 

 to so many would still present a tempting charm. It is 

 not to these latter alone that our few existing ancient 

 oaks are so attractive, however, and a slight acquaint- 

 ance with the oaken roofs and carvings of some of our 



B 



