DBSOEIPTTVB ENUMEEATION OP TEJ5ES. 125 



of our strength. Of it tlie old Bnglisli yeoman 

 made his long-bow, which, hev aunted, nobody but 

 an Englishman could bend. In shooting he did 

 not, as in other nations, keep his left hand steady, 

 and draw his bow with his right ; but, keeping his 

 right at rest upon the nerve, he pressed the whole 

 weight of his body into the horns of his bow.* 

 Hence probably arose the English phrase of bend- 

 ing a how, and the French of drawing one. 



Nor is the Yew celebrated only for its tough- 

 ness and elasticity, but also for its durable nature. 

 "Where your paling is most exposed either to winds 

 or springs, strengthen it with a post of old Yew. 

 That hardy veteran fears neither storms above 

 nor damps below. It is a common saying 

 among the inhabitants of New Forest, that a post 

 of Yew will outlast a post of iron. 



Thus much for the utility and dignity of the 

 Yew. As to its picturesque perfections-, I profess 

 myself (contrary I suppose to general opinion) a 

 great admirer of its form and foliage. The Yew 

 is of all other trees the most tonsile. Hence all 



* Soo Ep. LaUincr's Sormons, Scrm. vi. 



I 2 



