52 l^otoel &d*'* afe 



among them, though not of them. Beyond their ver- 

 durous circle are a variety of romantic dingles, covered 

 with blackberry-bushes, with moss, and ivy. Gigantic 

 trees fling the shadow of their noble branches over the 

 green sward, and the spaces between them are filled, here, 

 and there, with an exuberant growth of underwood. 

 The music of almost every feathered songster that 

 frequents the woods of England is heard 'in this wild 

 spot ; but except the buzzing of flies that rise in crowds 

 from the copses, and the pleasant rippling of the stream, 

 no other sound meets the ear. 



The old tree with its bleached and skeleton arms has 

 a fearful name, and stout of heart must the man be who 

 would pass within sight of it when the sun is set behind 

 the hill, and the trees cast their lengthened shadows on 

 the grass. It is called the ' haunted oak,' the ' spirit's 

 blasted tree,' or the ' hobgoblin's hollow tree,' and dismal 

 is the tale to which the name refers. 



Howel Sele, whose sad history is associated with this 

 blasted oak, was lord of the wide domain which extends 

 around it for many miles. We know not whether his 

 heart was secretly inclined to espouse the faction of 

 Henry IV., or whether he loved a life of ease, and 

 preferred to dwell in his castle-hall, hoping that the 

 storm which threatened to overwhelm his country might 

 pass away. Certain it is that Owen Glendour thought 

 not well of him, and perhaps with reason. He came 

 not forth to assist in delivering his country from the 



