That these trees were connected with religious observances is evident from the following lines in the 502nd poem of Herrick's Hesperides. The poem is addressed "To Anthea:"—
—————"Dearest, bury me
Under that holy oak, or Gospel Tree;
Where, though thou see'st not, thou may'st think upon
Me, when thou yearly go'st procession."
P. T.
Stoke Newington.
"Asters with Trains of Fire," &c. (Vol. v., p. 154.).
—MR. HICKSON's objections to this reading are twofold—matter of opinion, and matter of fact: of course, it is only with the latter that I may presume to interfere.
I beg to refer him to the precepts of Polonius to his son, no further than the third scene of the same play, amongst which he will find this line: