OF SELBORNE. 



LETTER II. 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. 



IN the court of Norton farmhouse, a manor-farm to the north- 

 west of the village, on the white malm, stood within these 

 twenty years a broad-leaved elm, or wych hazel, Ulmus folio la- 

 tissimo scabro, of Eay, which, though it had lost a considerable 

 leading bough, equal to a moderate tree, in the great storm 

 in the year 1703, yet, when felled, contained eight loads of 

 timber; and being too bulky for carriage, was sawn off at 

 seven feet above the butt, where it measured near eight feet in 

 the diameter. This elm I mention to show to what a bulk 

 planted elms may attain ; as this tree must certainly have been 

 such from its situation. 



In the centre of the village, and near the church, is a square 

 piece of ground surrounded by houses, and vulgarly called 

 the Plestor. In the midst of this spot stood, in old times, a 

 vast oak, with a short squat body and huge horizontal arms, 

 extending almost to the extremity of the area. This venerable 

 tree, surrounded with stone steps, and seats above them, was 

 the delight of old and young, and a place of much resort iu 

 summer evenings ; where the former sat in grave debate, while 

 the latter frolicked and danced before them. Long might it 

 have stood, had not the amazing tempest in 1703 overturned it 

 at once, to the infinite regret of the inhabitants and the vicar, 

 who bestowed several pounds in setting it in its place again : 

 but all his care could not avail ; the tree sprouted for a time, 

 then withered and died. This oak I mention to show to what 

 a bulk planted oaks also may arrive : and planted this tree 

 must certainly have been, as appears from what is known con- 

 cerning the antiquities of the village. 



On the Blackmoor estate there is a small wood called Losel's, 

 of a few acres, that was lately furnished with a set of oaks 

 of a peculiar growth and great value ; they were tall and taper 



