From these passages it will be seen that the gods dwelt in these groves, and that sacred vessels and altars were placed there, but no images; neither were temples erected.[2] The practice of worshipping the gods in woods and trees continued for many centuries, till the introduction of Christianity (Vid. Willibald, A.D. 786, _in Vita Bonifacii_), and the converters did not disdain to adopt every means to raise Christian cultus to higher authority than that of Paganism, by acting upon the senses of the heathen, _e.g._ using white robes for those baptized, lighting of candles, burning of incense, &c.; and they erected the Christian churches, for the most part, upon the site of Pagan _tree_ or temple; Sulp. _Severus_ (ed. Amst. 1665), p. 485.: "Nam ubi fana destruxerat (Martinus), _statim ibi aut ecclesias aut monasteria construebat_." Dietm. _V. Merseb._, 7. 52., p. 859.: "Fana idolorum destruens incendit, et mare dæmonibus cultum inmissis quatuor lapidibus, sacro Chrismate perunctis et aqua purgans benedicta, novam Domino ... plantationem eduxit." [Footnote 2: Brissonius _De Regno Pers._ II. 28.: "Persæ diis suis nulla templa vel altaria constituunt, nulla simulacra."] The heathen gods were represented as impotent, in opposition to the true God, though not as powerless in themselves, and were converted into inimical evil powers, which must submit, but could nevertheless exercise a certain hurtful influence. Some heathen traditions and superstitions remained, their names only being altered into those of Christ, Maria, and the saints. In this manner they spared the assuefactions of the people, and made them believe that the sacredness of the place was not lost, but henceforth depended on the presence of the true God. The above facts will perhaps sufficiently explain the origin of the Gospel Oak. PROFESSOR THEODORE GOEDES. Hampden House, Reading. There is a tree called by this name a few miles from Winchester, in the parish of Tichborne or Cheriton,--I _think_ the latter, but have no means of ascertaining at the present moment. Mention of it is made in Duthy's _Sketches of Hampshire_. L. G. MITIGATION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT TO A FORGER. (Vol. iv., p. 434.) The case related by MR. GATTY is interesting, but requires sifting. Perhaps he will be good enough to do it, or to put me on the trail. As the energetic sister may be a reader of "N. & Q.," I do not wish to annoy her by printing the forger's name, but I shall be glad to have the place and date of the conviction.