Note 9 — Replies.

[The drawing and description of this venerable oak is given in the Mirror, vol. ii. p. 81., where it is stated that Mr. Forsyth's precautions were insufficient to protect it from an injurious custom practised by many of its thoughtless visitors, of making a fire within the cavities to cook their provisions; for, in the month of June, 1805, it was set on fire, and continued burning until the following day, by which the trunk was considerably injured. The high winds of February, 1820, at last stretched its massy trunk and limbs on that turf which it had for so many ages overshadowed with its verdant foliage. The wood of which the pulpit and reading-desk of St. Pancras new church are composed was a portion of the Fairlop Oak; and are looked upon as matters of greater curiosity perhaps, on that account, than even the beautiful grained and highly polished material and the splendid carvings.—ED.]