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renown. The yew is in high favour witli Gilpin. “ In 
a state of nature,” says he, “ it is, perhaps, one of the 
most beautiful evergreens we have. Indeed, I know 
not whether, all things considered, it is not superior to 
the cedar of Lebanon itself. I mean to such meagre 
representations of that noble tree as we have in England. 
The same soil which cramps the cedar is congenial with 
the yew.” 
“ This tree is a pure native of Britain.” When left 
to its own choice of situation, it grows most freely in 
mountainous woods, or more particularly in the fissures 
of limestone rocks; in such places it is still abundant, 
though far less so than formerly, when “ it was to our 
ancestors what the oak now is to then- descendants, the 
basis of their strength.” In those days when we trusted 
to the bow for our defence, it was ordained by statute 
that every man should have an English bow, of his own 
height, made of yew, wych, hazel, ash, or auburn (sup¬ 
posed to be alder). But, “ as for brasell, elme, wych, 
and ashe,” says Roger Ascham, “ experience doth prove 
them to be mean for bowes; and so to conclude, ewe of 
all other things is that whereof perfite shootinge would 
have a bowe made.” Shakspeare countenances this 
opinion by the epithet he bestows on it in Richard the 
Second: — 
