According to an account of it printed for Hogg, Paternoster-row, the trunk or main stem of this tree has been sixty-six feet, and
some of the branches twelve feet, in circumference. The age of this prodigy of the forest cannot be ascertained with any degree of precision. The oak viewed by the present King, in Oxfordshire, and some years ago felled in the domains of one of the Colleges, though only twenty-five feet in girth, is said to have been six hundred years old. Fairlop oak having been nearly thrice as large, is supposed to be at least twice that age.
Phillips employed by the King, applied a patent mixture to stop the progress of its decay, but, last autumn, when seen by the describer, its naked gigantic trunk and arms, retaining not the least symptom of animation, presented a ghastly spectacle of the ravages of time, as contrasted with the rich verdure of the surrounding scenery.
The circumstances which gave rise to the establishment of a fair, on this spot of ground, are somewhat singular.
Daniel Day, an engine, pump, and block-maker, of Wapping, having a small estate in the vicinity of this oak, was in the habit of
annually resorting to it about a fortnight after midsummer, to receive his rents, when he provided a dinner under the tree, and invited several of his friends to it. The novelty of the scene exciting the attention of the neighbouring inhabitants, attendance on that occasion increased until about the year 1725, when booths being erected round the stupendous oak, the scene assumed the appearance of a regular fair. It has continued to be held there, and it is said now attracts a great number of attendants.
As this fair does not appear to be a mart for horses or cattle, there is reason to fear, it is kept up more for revelry and excess, than for any useful purpose. The ground has been cleared to some extent about the oak, which stands at the head of a circular lawn, surrounded by pailing, to protect it from the ravages of the unthinking part of the multitude, who assemble there. It is said to have been the practice of the Gypsies, to kindle fires against the trunk, by which the bulk has been diminished, and perhaps the vegetation injured.
On the side of the forest, near to Dagenham, Essex, was the encampment of Gypsies, of which the author’s friend was in quest. The construction of their tents, is well known to be wooden hoops fastened into the ground, and covered with an awning of blankets or canvas, which resembles the tilt of a waggon; the end is closed from the wind by a curtain. This gang was called by the name of Corrie. It consisted of an old man, his wife, a niece, and their son and daughter with ten children; said to be all from Staffordshire. The men were scissars’ grinders and tinkers.
Questions being asked them respecting their condition, a young woman made some observations upon them to an older woman, in their own peculiar speech. This was the first time the writer had an opportunity of ascertaining, what the language of Gypsies in England really was. With the knowledge only of Grellmann’s vocabulary, he pointed out what the young woman had expressed; upon which they immediately exclaimed, the gentleman understands what we say; and they gave way to
immoderate transports of joy, saying, they would tell him any thing he wished to know of them.