OF SELBORNE 13 



vulgarly called the Plestor. In the midst of tliis spot 

 stood, in old times, a vast oak, with a short squat body, 

 and huge horizontal arms extending almost to the ex- 

 tremity of the area. This venerable tree, surrounded 

 with stone steps, and seats above them, was the delight 

 of old and young, and a place of much resort in summer 

 evenings ; where the former sat in grave debate, while the 

 latter frolicked and danced before them. Long might it 

 have stood, had not the amazing tempest in 1703 over- 

 turned it at once, to the infinite regret of the inhabitants, 

 and the vicar, who bestowed several pounds in setting it in 

 its place again ; but all his care could not avail ; the tree 

 sprouted for a time, then withered and died. This oak I 

 mention to show to what a bulk planted oaks also may 

 arrive : and planted this tree must certainly have been, as 

 will appear from what will be said farther concerning this 

 area, when we enter on the antiquities of Selborne. 



On the Blackmoor estate there is a small wood called 

 Losel's, of a few acres, that was lately furnished with a 

 set of oaks of a peculiar growth and great value ; they 

 were tall and taper like firs, but standing near together 

 had very small heads, only a little brush without any 

 large limbs. About twenty years ago the bridge at the 

 Toy, near Hampton-court, being much decayed, some 

 trees were wanted for the repairs that were fifty feet long 

 without bough, and would measure twelve inches diameter 

 at the little end. Twenty such trees did a purveyor find 

 in this little wood, with this advantage, that many of them 

 answered the description at sixty feet. These trees wer& 

 sold for twenty pounds apiece. 



In the centre of this grove there stood an oak, which, 

 though shapely and tall on the whole, bulged out into a 

 large excrescence about the middle of the stem. On this 

 a pair of ravens had fixed their residence for such a 

 series of years, that the oak was distinguished by the title 



