sometimes productive of much inconvenience by the occasional meeting of carriages. And we were. told that a load of straw had been lately jammed in and stuck fast in this passage for a considerable time while numerous carriages and travellers of various descriptions were detained on each side without a possibility of making their exit or their

entrance.

The ditch on the north and west sides of the city is of a prodigious depth. Without the west gate at a little distance on the right hand stands a small Obelisk erected in memory of a pestilence which desolated the city several years ago: the inscription sets forth that the markets were removed hither out of the town at that time, and that the exchanges were made on the very stone which constitutes the basis of this monument.

CHAP. VI.

Hursley-Rumsey-Ringwood-Fording-bridge

Downton Britford-House.

THE road to Rumsey, after ascending

a hill, presents a fine view of Winchester and the village of St. Cross; and on the left is a fortification called "Oliver's Battery," where the Usurper's troops were encamped in the rebellion. It is situate nearly opposite to Catherine-Hill, and with it forms a very striking object in perspective, from many parts of Winchester and it's environs.

This neighbourhood abounds with chalky hills, and after passing many of them we came to a large house belonging to Sir William Heathcote at Hursley. All the hedge rows are full of yew trees; but notwithstanding what has been said respecting their poisonous nature, we never hear of any accidents happening to the cattle that are turned loose in the

8

fields near them. The yew tree seems to have been originally a native of England, although it is now not often met with;-the inhabitants of this country, in the bow and arrow times, it is presumed cultivated it with great attention. Hursley-Lodge was once the residence and property of Richard Cromwell, and an original picture of his father · Oliver remains in the house.

From this place to Rumsey you are presented with fine forest scenery: passing between the richest woods of oak and beech trees whose luxuriant branches overshadow a road of smooth gravel; and indeed it must be acknowledged that taking Hampshire altogether, no county in England can furnish a greater variety of entertainment to the speculative traveller, nor afford more pleasing prospects of wood and water.

Rumsey is twelve miles from Winchester near the entrance to the town we passed a Bridge over a canal lately cut from Andover to Redbridge. This town is very full of inhabitants, and a great

deal of trade is carried on here. The church is of very high antiquity, and several drawings have been taken of the pillars and arches by way of specimen of the Saxon architecture. Some authors say that Matilda, Queen of Henry the first, was educated in a nunnery here; but others, that she was at Wilton, and not at Rumsey.

The remainder of our journey to Ringwood, was performed at so late an hour that the little light we had, was only just sufficient to shew that our road lay through part of the New Forest, the beauties of which we' were thus precluded from enjoying.

The Town of Ringwood is one of the least interesting places which any one can be destined to inhabit. It stands in a bottom surrounded by. hills, which overlook it entirely, and hide a prospect of the adjacent country from every house in the town. The streets are crooked and ill paved. The Church, usually an object of curiosity in country places, is not at all remarkable, unless for

D

the illiterate nonsense that abounds on the grave

stones.

The river Avon, which flows on the west side of the town affords plenty of trout, a fine addition to the indifferent accomodation at our Inn, which happened to be under the direction of a most disgusting fat drunken landlady. There is a small market-house built with brick, and the room above it serves for a play-house, the most shabby that my curiosity has ever yet led me into.

The next morning after our arrival I very readily embraced the proposal of one of my friends to accompany him to Salisbury, which is eighteen miles from Ringwood; the road passing through Fordingbridge and Downton. On leaving Ringwood you are presented with a view remarkably striking; on the left is a good old Family House, with a white bridge over the Avon, which flows in a noble stream at the foot of the garden; the road winding on the bank of the river under the shade of some magnificent beech trees, and running