36 SPKING-TIDE. 



nounced by the Anglo-Saxon laws, and have 

 an especial regard for the hawthorn, beau- 

 tiful at this season while it teems with 

 its delicious perfume, and cheerful to look 

 upon, studded with countless ripening ber- 

 ries, when hoar winter nips both man and 

 beast, and makes your hearthstone plea- 

 santer than the meadows. 



J. I have no doubt many of these trees 

 are of a great age, coeval perhaps with the 

 oldest oaks and yews in the kingdom. Old 

 records tell us of several of the latter two ; 

 but the hawthorn perhaps lost if not its 

 beauty its dignity under the Norman rule. 

 Speaking of the age of trees, did you ever 

 notice the old saying that an oak is five 

 hundred years growing, five hundred years 

 in a state of maturity, and another five 

 hundred decaying ? You will find it among 

 the quaint list of " Demaundes joyous," 

 printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1511. 



S. From what we have confirmed, as to 



