32 



SYLVA BRITANNIC A. 



THE GOSPEL OAK. 



The custom of making the boundaries of parishes, 

 by the neighbouring inhabitants going round them 

 once a-year, and stopping at certain spots to per- 

 form different ceremonies, in order that the localities 

 might be impressed on the memories of the young, 

 as they were attested by the recollections of the old, 

 is still common in various parts of the kingdom. 

 The custom itself is of great antiquity, and is sup- 

 posed by some to have been derived from the feast 

 called Terminalia, v^^hich was dedicated to the God 

 Terminus, who was considered as the guardian of 

 fields and land-marks, and the promoter of friend- 

 ship and peace among men. Its beneficial effects, 

 and social influence, are thus described by Withers, 

 in the quaint style of two centuries by-gone : — 



" That every man might keep his own possessions, 

 Our fathers used, in reverent processions, 

 (With zealous prayers, and with praiseful cheere,) 

 To walk their parish limits once a-year ; 

 And well-known marks (which sacrilegious hands 

 Now cut or breake) so bordered out their lands, 

 That every one distinctly knew his owne ; 

 And many brawles now rife, were then unknowne." 



It was introduced among Christians about the 

 year 800, by the pious Avitus, Bishop of Vienna, in 

 a season of dearth and calamity, and has been con- 



