"Accesserunt sub finem Dominici Magri, Melitensis, Theologi, Cathedr. Viterb., &c., appendices et correctiones: atque in has M. A. Baudrand notæ."
The work is very useful, but of course no longer new. It is in two thin folios, and was printed at Eisenach in MDCLXXVII., by John Peter Schmidt.
O. T. D.
Gospel Trees (Vol. ii., p. 407.; Vol. v., p. 157.).
—BURIENSIS, in a recent Number, says that he has somewhere read of a tree called the "Gospel Elm." May, in his Guide to Stratford-upon-Avon, published about twenty years since, gives the following description of an elm, which is probably the one referred to by your correspondent. After describing the hamlet of Bishopton, he writes:
"In varying our return to Stratford, pursuing thus the path along the Henley road, we pass at the town's entrance the now decaying 'Gospel Tree,' that still indicates the boundary of the borough in this direction, towards the 'Dove house close.' In a perambulation of the boundaries, made here on the 7th of April, 1591,[3] this elm—judging from its now decayed and weather-beaten aspect—is the one there noted as seated on the boundary in this direction, whence the line is therein stated as continuing, to 'the two elms in Evesham highway.' Such a perambulation was anciently made yearly, during Rogation week, by the clergy, magistrates, and burgesses; not omitting, for evidence' sake, the boys of the grammar school, who then doubtless received, as still is customary, some sensitive reminiscences of local limitation."—May's Guide to Stratford-upon-Avon, p. 92.
[3] "Presentment" in the possession of R. Wheler, Esq.
The author gives a very plausible reason for the tree's peculiar name, in the ensuing remark:
"When the bound mark was a tree, as in the present instance, a passage of Scripture was read beneath its branches, a collect was recited, and a psalm was sung. Hence its sacred designation, long retained, but now well nigh forgotten."—Ibid. p. 93.
SOUTHAMIENSIS.