squat body and huge horizontal arms, extending 

 almost to the extremity of the area. This venerable 

 tree, surrounded with stone steps, and seats above 

 them, was the delight of old and young, and a place 

 of much resort in summer evenings ; where the for- 

 mer sat in grave debate, while the latter frolicked 

 and danced before them. Long might it have stood, 

 had not the amazing tempest in 1703 overturned it 

 at once, to the infinite regret of the inhabitants and 

 the vicar, who bestowed several pounds in setting it 

 in its place again : but all his care could not avail ; 

 the tree sprouted for a time, then withered and died. 

 This oak I mention to show to what a bulk planted 

 oaks also may arrive : and planted this tree must cer- 

 tainly have been, as appears from what is known 

 concerning the antiquities of the village. 



On the Blackmoor estate there is a small wood 

 called Losel's, of a few acres, that was lately fur- 

 nished with a set of oaks of a peculiar growth and 

 great value ; they were tall and taper like firs, but 

 standing near together had very small heads, only a 

 little brush without any large limbs. About twenty 

 years ago, the bridge at the Toy, near Hampton 

 Court, being much decayed, some trees were wanted 

 for the repairs that were fifty feet long without 

 bough, and would measure twelve inches diameter 

 at the little end. Twenty such trees did a pur- 

 veyor find in this little wood, with this advan- 

 tage, that many of them answered the description 



7 



