Trees in American History 



enough to hold a child. From the summer of 1687 

 to the spring of 1689 it safely kept the charter 

 of Connecticut. Eight years later the opening 

 closed completely. The Charter Oak lived on 

 from year to year, a sturdy relic of the past, 

 until, on the night of August twenty-second, 

 1856, there came a great storm, during which 

 the old tree was blown to the ground. 



One night, my children, from the North 



There came a furious blast. 



At break of day I ventured forth 



And near the cliff I pass'd. 



The storm had fall'n on the Oak, 



And struck him with a mighty stroke, 



And whirl'd, and whirl'd him far away. 



Wordsworth. 



