Woodside. 33 



latter half does so, except on very rare occasions, is more than 

 doubtful. 



Mythological references to the ash are not uncommon. 

 Was not the immense spear of Achilles made from an ash- 

 tree ? and did not Virgil first name the ash, " Fraxinus, the 

 queen of the woods " ? although its common English name 

 is probably derived from the Saxon word " sesc," meaning 

 " a spear," to which use its tough saplings were so frequently 

 and to such good purpose put. Was it not under an ash tree 

 that the far-famed spring was hidden, for a drink from which 

 Odin gave one of his eyes? and does not Scandinavian 

 mythology relate that Odin made the first man from a piece 

 of ash wood? It is very probable that its abundance in 

 many parts is due to its connection with sacred themes, 

 to its association with the religious rites of the savage 

 Norsemen who, centuries ago, overran our country. 



But we soon leave the avenue of ash trees. To our left 

 stretches the Park, with its mighty trees and ancient 

 memories. To the right the woods roll on past the old 

 village of Shorne, and, with a break here and there, to within 

 a short distance of Grravesend. What makes Kentish woods 

 appear so charming as compared with those of most other 

 counties? Probably it is because of the regularity with 

 which they are cut down every ten or twelve years, when 

 nothing is left standing but the old trees. This opening up 

 of the various parts is followed by a wealth of flowers rarely 

 to be equalled elsewhere. Here is such a clearing. What a 

 gorgeous carpet of brilliant colour does it present to us ! The 

 prevailing tint is blue speedwell, ground-ivy and bluebells 

 filling up almost every available inch of ground, whilst 

 interspersed with these are the pretty flowers of the early 



