26 



THE OAK 



groves^ and put a final stop to their influence. 

 The whole brotherhood^ with their system of 

 ^ship and religion, perished qu^ickly." 



Did the Druids love the oak/' said Harry, 

 because they lived upon the acorns ? I 

 have heard that, anciently, men ate them. I 

 think, they must have been very hungry first. 

 I have tried them often, but never could swal- 

 low them." 



I do not wonder at that much, my young 

 friend," said I ; several things should be 

 taken into consideration, to explain the matter. 

 One thing, which does wonders, is necessity, 

 another is use. Now, I suppose, that if your 

 parents could have procured no other nourish- 

 ment for you than acorns, you would have 

 eaten them, and have long since forgotten 

 that they were unpalatable. You have heard. 



