244 OUR FORESTS AND WOODLANDS 



to losses of this kind among his friends ; and in 

 the island of Ely had once the mortification to 

 see nine young steers or bullocks of his own 

 all lying dead in a heap from browsing a little 

 on a hedge of yew in an old garden, into which 

 they had broken in snowy weather. . . . True it 

 is that yew trees stand for twenty years or more 

 in a field, and no bad consequences ensue; but 

 at some time or other cattle, either from wanton- 

 ness when full, or from hunger when empty 

 (from both which circumstances we have seen 

 them perish), will be meddling to their certain 

 destruction.' 



Evelyn admired the holly, and who does not ? 

 He went into positive raptures about it. * But, 

 above all the natural Greens which enrich our 

 home-born store, there is none certainly to be 

 compared to the Holly ; insomuch as I have often 

 wonder'd at our Curiosity after forreign Plants, 

 and expensive difficulties, to the neglect of the 

 culture of this vulgar, but incomparable Tree ; 

 whether we will propagate it for Use, and Defence ; 

 or for sight and ornament. 



* Is there under heaven a more glorious and 

 refreshing object of the kind, than an impreg- 



