WHITE 



LETTER II 



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

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

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

 latissimo scabro of Ray, which, though it had lost a consider- 

 able leading bough in the great storm in the year 1 703, equal 

 to a moderate tree, yet, when felled, contained eight loads of 

 timber ; and being too bulky for a 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 venera- 

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

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

 in 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 will appear from what 

 will be said farther concerning this area, when we enter on the 

 antiquities of Selborne. 



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 

 like firs, but standing near together had very small heads, only 

 a little brush without any large limbs. About twenty years 

 ago the bridge at the Toy, near Hampton Court, being much 

 decayed, some trees were wanted for the repairs that were fifty 



