THE ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE 225 



improper custom was introduced of burying within the 

 body of the church, where the living are to assemble. 

 Deborah, RebekaWs nurse, 1 was buried under an oak ; the 

 most honourable place of interment probably next to the 

 cave of Machpelah? which seems to have been appropriated 

 to the remains of the patriarchal family alone. 



The farther use of yew-trees might be as a screen to 

 churches, by their thick foliage, from the violence of 

 winds ; perhaps also for the purpose of archery, the best 

 long bows being made of that material : and we do not 

 hear that they are planted in the church-yards of other 

 parts of Europe, where long bows were not so much in 

 use. They might also be placed as a shelter to the con- 

 gregation assembling before the church-doors were opened, 

 and as an emblem of mortality by their funereal appear- 

 ance. In the south of England every church-yard almost 

 has it's tree, and some two ; but in the north, we under- 

 stand, few are to be found. 



The idea of R. C. that the yew-tree afforded it's branches 

 instead of palms for the processions on Palm- Sunday, is a 

 good one, and deserves attention. See Gent. Mag. vol. 1. 

 p. 128. 



1 Gen. xxxv. 8. [G. W.] * Gen. xxiii. 9. [G. W.] 



VOL. II. 2 F 



