250 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



veneration ; and it has been observed that a stump of it 

 is frequently found in an old burying ground, or near 

 the circle of a Druid temple, whose rites it formerly in- 

 vested with its sacred shade. 



Mr. Lightfoot remarks, that in these Druidical circles 

 so often seen in North Britain, this tree is more fre- 

 quently observed than any ; and that some superstitious 

 persons still believe that a part of it carried about them 

 will preserve them from the effects of enchantment or 

 witchcraft. The dairy-maid never neglects to drive her 

 cattle to the shealings or summer pastures with a rod of 

 the roan tree, and home again with the same. In 

 Strathspey they make a hoop of its wood on the first of 

 May, through which they make the sheep and lambs 

 pass morning and evening. 



Evelyn says this tree is reputed so sacred in Wales, 

 that there is not a churchyard that does not contain one ; 

 and that on a certain day every person wears a cross 

 made of the wood. Some authors give it the name of 

 Fraxinus Cambro-Britannica, or Welsh Ash. " It is 

 reputed,"" says Evelyn, " to be a preservative against 

 fascinatieH^nd evil spirits, whence perhaps we call it 

 Witchen : the boughs being stuck about the house, or 

 used for walking staff's." 



Ih-. Hunter, in his notes upon this author, says: 

 " In nsr^mer times this tree was supposed to be possessed 

 of the property of driving away witches and evil spirits, 

 and this property is recorded in one of the stanzas of a 

 very ancient song, called the Laidley Worm of Spindleston 

 Heughs : 



" Their spells were vain ; the hags return'd 

 To the queen, in sorrowful mood, 

 Crying that witches have no power 

 Where there is roan- tree wood." 



