SPANISH CHESTNUT. 197 



aboriginal or exotic ; but no doubt is now entertained on 

 the subject. The great profit which arises from the wood 

 when cut into hop-poles, sufficiently accounts for the dis- 

 appearance of large trees from their growing-places. Nor 

 less striking is the fact, as proving that the chestnut was 

 more common formerly than at present, that many of the 

 oldest houses in London are floored or wainscoted with the 

 wood. The beautiful roof of Westminster Abbey is also 

 constructed of the same material; nor is this surprising, 

 for, according to Fitz-Stephen, noble forests of chestnuts 

 extended round the north side of the metropolis. 



Yirgil describes my nuts as acceptable with milk and 

 cheese; and still in Italy, as in the north of Europe, 

 they are roasted on small stoves in the streets by fruit- 

 women, who sell them to the passengers. Evelyn also 

 speaks much of them, as equally grateful and nutritious : he 

 says that bread made from the flour is very strengthening, 

 and greatly improves the complexion. He adds, that in 

 Italy it is used in making fritters, which are wetted with 



