224 Gilpin's forest scenery. 



This early spring, however, of the Cadenham 



desired to climb the Oak, and to search, whether there were any 

 leaves then on it, he said it would he to no purpose, hut that if 

 she would come on the Wednesday following (Christmas Day) 

 she might certainly see thousands. However, he was prevailed 

 on to ascend, and on the first branch which he gathered 

 appeared several fair new leaves, fresh sprouted from the buds, 

 and nearly an inch and a half in length. It may be imagined 

 that the guide was more amazed at this premature production 

 than the lady ; for so strong was his belief in the truth of the 

 whole tradition, that he would have pledged his life that not a 

 leaf was to have been discovered on any part of the tree before 

 the usual hour. 



' Eut though the superstitious part of this ancient legend is 

 hence confuted, yet it must be allowed that there is something 

 very uncommon and curious in an Oak's constantly shooting 

 forth leaves at this unseasonable time of the year, and that the 

 cause of it well deserves the' philosoiihical attention of the 

 botanist. In some years there is no doubt but that this Oak 

 may show its fird loaves on Iho Cliristmas morning, as probably 

 as on a few days before ; and this, perhaps, was the case in the 

 last year, Avlien a gentleman of this neighbourhood, a nice and 

 critical observer, strictly examined the branches, not only on 

 the Christmas morn, but also on the day prior to it. On the 

 first day not a leaf was to be found, but on the following every 

 branch had its complement, though they were then but just 

 shooting from the buds, none of them being more than a quarter 

 of an inch long. The latter part of the story may easily be 

 credited, that no leaves are to be seen on it after Christmas Day, 

 as large parties yearly assemble about the Oak on that morning, 

 and regularly strip every ajipearance of a leaf from it.' 



