Domestic Notices : — England. 



477 



in the year in which he came of age. It has grown surprisingly, and is, 

 perhaps, the largest Lombardy poplar in this neighbourhood. Amongst those 

 who had taken shelter under its foliage was a fine handsome recruiting 

 sergeant. He has been to fish again to-day ; and he told me only an hour 

 or so ago, that he had determined to wait under the tree until the storm 

 should have passed away ; adding, at the same time, how grateful he was to 

 Almighty God for his preservation. He said, he had only just got into the 

 saddle-room when the thunder storm burst over us. — C. W. August 17. 1842." 

 The Sycamore in Garstang Churchyard. — Having accepted Mr. Saul's kind 

 offer (p. 404.) to send us a sketch of the sycamore in Garstang churchyard, 



Fig. 52. A remarkable Sycamore in Garstang Churchyard. 



we have had Jig. 52. prepared from it. We understand there are some little 

 errors in regard to the tombstones, but it is correct as far as it respects the 

 tree and the jackdaws sitting on it. Respecting these jackdaws, Mr. Saul 

 has the following observations. " A short time ago," says Mr. Saul, " I was at- 

 tending the funeral of a departed friend, whose grave was near this sycamore 

 tree. Having taken my station between the tree and the clergyman, my at- 

 tention was very forcibly arrested by two jackdaws whose bodies were about 

 half-protruded from the body of the tree. They appeared accustomed to 

 such occasions, and seemed to me as if they too were joining in the present 

 solemnity, as their heads and eyes were directed to the reverend gentleman 

 while he was reading the burial service in a most impressive and solemn 

 manner. After the conclusion of the service, according to the custom of the 

 place, the bell commenced raising its melodious sound, to remind those present 

 of the royal psalmist, when he cried out : ' Let me know the end and the 

 number of my days, that I may be certified how long I have to live.' It 

 appeared to me, when the bell commenced, that the birds began to move their 

 heads, as if they were beating time to the bell, and joining with the people in 

 the above portion of the psalm. As soon as the bell ceased, and the people 

 began to depart, the birds withdrew into the tree. I went the next day to 



