HERNE'S OAK, WINDSOR.

THE most interesting tree, however, at Windsor, for there can be little doubt of its identity, is the celebrated Herne's Oak. There is indeed a story prevalent in the neighbourhood respecting its destruction. It was stated to have been felled by command of his late Majesty George III. about fifty years ago, under peculiar circumstances. The whole story, the details of which it is unnecessary to enter upon, appeared so improbable, that I have taken some pains to ascertain the inaccuracy of it, and have now every reason to believe that it is perfectly unfounded. Herne's Oak is probably still standing, at least there is a tree which some old inhabitants of Windsor consider as such, and which their fathers did before them-the best proof perhaps of its identity. In following the footpath which leads from the Windsor road to Queen Adelaide's Lodge, in the Little Park, about half way on the right, a dead tree may be seen close to an avenue of elms. This is what is pointed out as Herne's Oak. I can almost fancy it the very picture of death. Not a leaf-not a particle of vitality appears about it. "The hunter must have blasted it." It stretches out its bare and sapless branches, like the skeleton arms of some enormous giant, and is almost fearful in its decay. None of the delightful associations connected with it have however vanished, nor is it difficult to fancy it as the scene of Falstaff's distress, and the pranks of the "Merry Wives." Among many appropriate passages which it brought to my recollection was "There want not many that do fear

In deep of night to walk by this Herne's Oak."

Its spectral branches might indeed deter many from coming near it "'twixt twelve and one."

The footpath which leads across the park is stated to have passed in former times close to Herne's Oak. The path is now at a little distance from it, and was probably altered in order to protect the tree from injury. I was glad to find "a pit hard by," where "Nan and her troop of fairies, and the Welch Devil Evans," might all have "couched," without being perceived by the fat "Windsor stag" when he spake like "Herne the hunter." The pit above alluded to has had a few thorns planted in it, and the circumstance of its being near the oak, with the diversion of the footpath, seem to prove the identity of the tree, in addition to the traditions.

The last acorn I believe which was found on Herne's Oak was given to the late Sir David Dundas of Richmond, and was planted by him on his estate in Wales, where it now flourishes, and has a suitable inscription near it. I have reason to think that Sir David Dundas never entertained a doubt of the tree I have referred to being Herne's Oak, and he had the best opportunities of ascertaining it. In digging holes near the tree lately, for the purpose of fixing the present fence round it, several old coins were found, as if they had been deposited there as future memorials of the interest this tree had excited. JESSE'S GLEANINGS.