108 THE YEW. 



children, that one of the first excursions which they 

 desired to make after coming to the school was a visit 

 to the < Indian Tree/" 



This tree, which must have been at least 300 years 

 of age, was destroyed in 1845. Some of the pupils, 

 either ignorant of the consequences, or with a mis- 

 chievous craving for fun, kindled a fire in the cavity, 

 which soon shrouded its noble form in flames. The 

 news of this catastrophe was received by the scholars 

 with a general outburst of indignation. 



One of the most beautiful and interesting trees 

 which decorates the English landscape, is the Yew. 

 Its tall and majestic figure, as well as its dense and 

 fine foliage, render it an attractive object; while the 

 advanced age to which many have been known to at- 

 tain, would naturally excite in the beholder a feeling 

 of peculiar interest. 



The Elm and the Yew are the favorite trees in the 

 Church-yard, and there appears to be considerable 

 appropriateness in the selection ; the former, with its 

 long pendulous and weeping boughs, harmonizes with 

 the mournful surroundings of the tomb, while the 

 latter, with its perennial verdure, its longevity, and 

 the extraordinary durability of its wood, is emblema- 

 tic of that unfading existence which awaits the spirits 

 of the redeemed. 



Gray, in his beautiful elegy, assigns to these a very 

 prominent place. 



"Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade, 



Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap, 

 Each in his narrow cell for ever laid, 



The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." 



