THE OAK. 5 



Tlie Mistletoe was held in great reverence, and as it was 

 not commonly found on the Oak, solemn ceremonies at- 

 tended the search for it. When all was prepared (the 

 Mistletoe having been, no doubt, previously found by some 

 of the assistants), the Druids went forth, clad in wMte robes, 

 to search for the sacred plant ; and when it was discovered, 

 one of the Druids ascended the tree and gathered it with 

 great ceremony, separating it from the Odk with a golden 

 knife. The Mistletoe was always cut at a particular age of 

 the moon, at the beginning of the year, and it was only 

 sought for when the Druids pretended to have had visions 

 directing them to seek it. When a great length of time 

 elapsed without this happening, or if the Mistletoe chanced 

 to fall to the ground, it was considered as an omen that 

 some great misfortune would befal the nation. 



The well-known chorus of " Hey derry down," according 

 to Professor Burnet, was a druidic chant, signifying literally, 

 " In a circle the Oak move around." Criminals were tried 

 under an Oak-tree, the judges being seated under the tree, 

 and the culprit placed within a circle made by the chief 

 Druid's wand. The Saxons also held lUeir national meet- 

 ings under an Oak ; and the celebrated conference between 

 the Saxons and the Britons, after the invasion of the 

 former, was held under the oaks of Dartmoor. The wood 

 of the Oak w^as appropriated to the most memorable uses. 

 King Arthur's round table was made of it, as was the 

 cradle of Edward II. at Caernarvon Castle, where he was 

 born ; this sacred wood being chosen in the hope of con- 

 ciliating the feelings of the Welsh, who still retained the 

 prejudices of their ancestors, the ancient Britons. It was 

 considered unlucky to cut down any celebrated tree ; and 

 Evelyn gravely relates a story of two men, who cut down 

 the Vicar's Oak, in Surrey ; one losing his eye, and the 

 other breaking his leg, soon after. 



The Oaks of Dartmoor, in Devonshire, have now 

 nearly disappeared. In one spot only is there any 

 vestige of what was once, perhaps, a favourite gathering- 



