SHERWOOD FOREST. 31 



" Sherwood Forest, especially that portion which includes 

 and surrounds Welbeck and Clumber, has ever been as 

 famous for the grand and majestic character and the 

 soundness and high-class quality of its oaks, as for its 

 picturesque beauties and the peculiar excellence and 

 abundance of its game. At various periods many of its 

 best and soundest oaks have been cut down for use in 

 in public buildings and in other works, but some of its 

 oldest and finest trees have remained untouched and 

 unscathed except by time. 



" Among gifts of Sherwood timber for public purposes 

 one of the most interesting was a grant by the then Duke 

 of Newcastle, to whom Welbeck belonged, of oak trees, 

 towards the rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral, after the 

 great fire of London. 



" Connected with the grant of oak trees towards the 

 rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral, his Grace the Duke of 

 Portland has in his possession an autograph letter of Sir 

 Christopher Wren. It is as follows : — 



' For Mr Richard Neale, 

 ' Steward to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, 



at Welbeck. ' Lond., April 4th, 1695. 



'Sir, 



' Having in my letter of June 23, 1695, signified 

 to you a particular of all the scantlings of the Timber wee 

 might use in the roofe of St Paules, that His Grace's 

 noble benefaction might be as usefull as may be to the 

 worke, and understanding that what is already designed 

 is none of the Great beams, w* is what wee are most 

 sollicitous for, and being given alsoe to understand that 

 wee must expect this season but Ten of the great trees ; I 

 presume once more to acquaint you with the scantlings of 

 the great Beames to prevent mistake. 



47 feet long, 13 inches and 14 inches at the 

 small end, growing timber, this scantling to 

 hold die square, as neer as can be without sap. 



