146 THE HUMAN SIDE OF TREES 



Testament at the time, doubtless seeking consola- 

 tion for her virtual imprisonment at Hatfield. As 

 she read, a courier on horseback approached along 

 the London road. Catching sight of the Princess, 

 he quit the course which was taking him toward the 

 castle and, running to Elizabeth, acquainted her 

 with the portentous news. It is not stated whether 

 the Virgin Queen wept or solicited congratulations. 

 Only the oak knows and a tree tells no secrets. 



Another of England's trees of note is the 1500- 

 year-old Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, which is 

 said to have been the favourite rendezvous of 

 Robin Hood and his merry men. Then there is 

 the Parliament Oak of Clipstone Park where Ed- 

 ward I is alleged to have once convened a national 

 assembly. In reading of Britain's famous trees, 

 the predominance of the oak is very noticeable. 

 This is doubtless due to the very abundance of 

 the species and the special reverence with which 

 the worship of the Druids endowed them. 



The history of America is short in time but 

 mighty in deed. It also has had its noteworthy 

 trees, but, in most cases, it has been unfortunate 

 enough to choose trees of the non-enduring kind or 

 has failed to develop enough historic sense to take 

 adequate steps for their preservation. 



The Washington Elm of Cambridge, Mass., is 



