HERNE'S OAK. 43 



engraving of the tree, it will be seen that it has 

 an inclination outwards. Those who are best 

 acquainted with the growth of trees are aware that 

 - this inclination would not have taken place, had it 

 been in the centre of an avenue, and another tree 

 growing immediately before it in that direction. 



Having made this explanation, I will now 

 shortly state my reasons for the opinion I have 

 formed that the tree now standing is the real 

 Herne's Oak. 



First : The fact that the avenue in which the 

 tree is now to be seen was planted by King 

 William III. who delighted in straight lines, and 

 the numerous avenues he made were all of them 

 formed so, with the exception of the one in ques- 

 tion. This is distorted, if I may call it so, evi- 

 dently with the intention of introducing Herne's 

 Oak into it, which is equidistant with the other 

 trees of the avenue. 



Secondly : The evidence of Collyer's plan, 

 which I cannot but think in favour of my suppo- 

 sition. 



Thirdly : The evidence of some old inhabi- 

 tants of Windsor, especially of one, now in the 

 ninety-fourth year of her age, who have assured 

 me, that not only they, but their fathers and 

 mothers also, have always had the present tree 

 pointed out to them as Herne's Oak. This is 

 going back to the time of William III. 



