YEW-TREE. 345 



A fine specimen of the old yew-gardens is still preserved in 

 the pleasure-grounds of Gormanston Castle, Meath : it was 

 originally intended to represent the cloisters of a monastery ; 

 the outer walls and open arches towards the centre being of 

 clipped yew, and the space so surrounded, answering to the 

 quadrangle, is tastefully laid out in a flower-garden. Time, 

 however, who effects continual changes, has caused many 

 such perversions of our brethren to disappear : among 

 these is an old yew-garden in Gloucestershire, that was, 

 perhaps, unequalled. In the centre stood a magnificent 

 yew-tree, of which the branches about mid-way were 

 spread horizontally round the stem, and then, having been 

 allowed to grow upright, were again bent at the height 

 of about seven feet, to form a roof. A room was thus 

 constructed capable of holding several persons, and chairs 

 were made with the small branches of the yew. A staircase, 

 with living banisters, ascended to this curious apartment, 

 leading from a passage formed of dwarf yew-trees on either 

 side, and opening on a large table, formed also of living 



