In 1812, a seedling from a nearby filbert
tree took root inside this abandoned millstone. The tree survived
for many years, eventually lifting the millstone in 1863 to a height
of around 8 inches to one foot (20 - 30 cm).The
parent stem died in November 1864, to be replaced by a new shoot. Dr. Hobson seated beneath the tree. (Click image to enlarge.)
There are still filbert trees in Walton Park, several being
near the canal wall.
"This
fortuitous occurrence and destructive position, as well as the singularly
unique altitude for a mill-stone to occupy, coupled with what must eventually be the result of this ponderous, hard, and inelastic
mass of dead matter, induced Mr. Waterton to name this extraordinary
combination, 'John Bull and the National Debt.' We can not, for
a moment, doubt, that this accidental and unnatural union was, for
a long period, a great discouragement to the healthy growth of vegetation,
simply from its grasping embrace. Nor can we doubt that the weight
of the stone has been a most disastrous drag around the neck of
the filbert-tree, whatever eight hundred million pounds sterling
may have been around the neck of our nation." (1)
The
Noctifier
The
Noctifier (Spirit of the Night or Dark Ages)
The Noctifer, a combination of two nocturnal birds, the bittern
and the eagle owl; described by Waterton as the "the Spirit of the Dark Ages,
unknown in England before the Reformation". (2, 3 & 4)
1. Charles
Waterton, His Home, Habits & Handiwork, Richard Hobson. (see Links).
2. Wanderings in South America, Charles Waterton, ed.
Rev. JG Wood, Macmillan & Co., London, 1880.
3. Essays on Natural History, Charles Waterton, ed.
Norman Moore, Frederick Warne & Co., Covent Garden, London.
4. Charles Waterton 1782 - 1865, Traveller and Naturalist, An exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary 0f the birth of Charles Waterton. Gordon Watson, Wakefield Museums and Art Galleries, 1982.
