yew. 287 



Our learned Ray says, that our ancestors 

 planted the yew in churchyards, because it 

 was an evergreen tree, as a symbol of that 

 immortality which they hoped and expected 

 for the persons there deposited. For the same 

 reason this and other evergreen trees are 

 even yet carried in funerals, and thrown into 

 the grave with the corpse in some parts of 

 England and Wales. But we are persuaded 

 that this custom was taken from the Romans, 

 and may be traced back even before their ex- 

 istence, or before the doctrine of the immor- 

 tality of the soul was preached or made 

 known. The custom of carrying fragrant 

 herbs and branches of such shrubs or trees 

 as would prevent infection, is of great anti- 

 quity, as well as considerable utility ; and of 

 this ancient custom we have frequently spoken 

 in our history of cultivated vegetables ; and 

 Statius tells us, that garlands of yew were 

 usually carried at funerals. 



" Beneath , that yew-tree's shade, 



Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap. 

 Each in his narrow cell for ever laid, 



The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." Gray. 



The grave, dread thing, 



Men shiver when thou'rt named, 



# * * * * 



Well do I know thee by thy trusty yew, 



