CELELEATED TEEES. 223 



ence of old Christmas-day — universally believing 

 tliat tlie Oak buds on that day, and that only. 

 The same opinion is held with regard to the Glas- 

 tonbury Thorn by the common people of the "West 

 of England. But, without doubt, the germination 

 there is gradual ; and forwarded or retarded by 

 the mildness or severity of the weather. One of 

 its progeny, which grew in the gardens of the 

 duchess dowager of Portland, at Bulstrode, had 

 its flower-buds perfectly formed, so early as the 

 21st of December, 1781, which is fifteen days 

 earlier than it ought to flower, according to the 

 vulgar prejudice.* 



* 111 the Salishury Journal, January 10th, 178G, the fol- 

 lowing paragraph appeared : — 



' In consequence of a report that has prevailed in this country 

 for upwards of two centuries, and which by many has heen 

 almost considered as a matter of faith, that the Oak at Caden- 

 ham, in the New Porest, shoots forth leaves on every old 

 Christmas Day, and that no leaf is ever to be seen on it, either 

 before or after that day, during the winter, a lady, who is now 

 on a visit in tliis city, and who is attentively curious in every- 

 thing relative to art or ITature, made a journey to Cadenham, 

 on Monday, the 3rd instant, purposely to inquire, on the spot, 

 about the production of this famous tree. On her arrival near 

 it, the usual guide was ready to attend her; but, on his being 



