Court 



"I stood in the ruined hall where my ancestors once dwelt. I 

 asked for the noble owners. Where are they? and the echo 



replied, Where are they ? " 



J. J. 



IN the midst of the lone forest which shadowed in 

 ancient times a large portion of the country of the 

 Dobuni,* and which extended over hill and dale, far as 

 the distant mountains of the Silures,f and on either 

 side the river that waters this part of Britain, stood a 

 solitary yew. On the verge of the forest, and in places 

 cleared of timber for the purpose, rose the conically- 

 shaped huts of the natives ; the dwelling of the chieftain 

 was somewhat larger than the rest, and around it stood 

 the wattled cabins of his dependents. Their arts were 

 few and simple, and their habits those of men who were 

 scarcely advanced beyond a savage state : corn was occa- 

 sionally cultivated, but in general they lived by hunting, 



* Gloucestershire. t South Wales. 



B 



