1 907-1908.] The Yew. 51 



esteem both in England and France for the ease with which 

 it could be clipped into all sorts of fantastic shapes. The 

 famous Twyford yew is a clipped one shaped like a huge 

 mushroom. Forms of birds, beasts, and every conceivable 

 object in nature were fashioned by clipping the tree. This 

 practice was rendered fashionable by Evelyn, and was most 

 prevalent from the time of Charles I. to the end of the 

 reign of William III. Curious geometric forms may still be 

 seen in some of the old college gardens at Oxford, and in 

 several old private gardens in various parts of England. 



There seems to be little legendary lore connected with the 

 yew. Its association with religion and places of worship is of 

 very ancient date. Owing to its great age and freedom from 

 decay it had acquired an almost sacred character. The gloomy 

 appearance and poisonous nature of the leaves are suggestive 

 of death, and have from the earliest times been used at 

 funerals. The famous Fortingall yew formed an arch through 

 which the funeral processions of the Highlanders used to pass. 

 It is said that yew-trees were purposely planted near churches 

 or churchyards that their sombre shade might solemnise and 

 remind all of the days of mourning and the silent resting- 

 place. Dickens mentions the old yew in Sunbury Church- 

 yard ; as Bill Sykes and little Oliver were passing it on their 

 way to commit the burglary, " the leaves of the old yew-tree 

 stirred gently in the night wind. It seemed like quiet music 

 for the repose of the dead." The touch of the holy yew was 

 believed to purify the soul, and branches were carried over 

 the dead by mourners and thrown into the grave beneath the 

 coffin. The evergreen foliage and the enduring nature of the 

 wood were typical of immortality : — 



" The distinguished yew is ever seen, 

 Unchanged his branch and permanent his green." 



When seemingly dead, the tree is said to revive from the root, 

 and its dry leaves to resume their wonted verdure. This 

 peculiarity has made it an emblem of the resurrection. There 

 is a belief in the Highlands of Scotland that a person grasping 

 a branch of churchyard yew in his left hand may speak to 

 any one he pleases, but the person spoken to will not be able 

 to hear what is said though the words will be heard by all 



