by thus throwing into the view, from each park, all the beauties of the opposite grounds. After having deviated thus far from the direct road, we came into it again at Downton, and pursued our ride to Ringwood. CHAP. VIII. Road to Lyndhurst-Minstead-Royal Stud-The V leaving Ringwood, the road which runs through part of the new forest is remarkably wild and uncultivated in most places: but in some there are fine large trees, and almost every where numerous herds of deer are seen sporting beneath their umbrageous branches. One part of this road much resembles that leading from Winchester to Rumsey. It passes through a wood where the branches overshadow the road, while the trees themselves are at such a distance from each other as to admit occasional views of the circumjacent country. The Isle of Wight is plainly to be seen near a house of entertainment called Stony-Crofs, about eight miles from Ringwood. We now turned-to the right and passed a beautiful cottage, belonging to Mr. Drummond, who has finished this charming retreat with great taste and propriety: the grounds are very prettily varied and the scenery around them is delightful. Manor Houfe at Minstead, the seat of Mr. Compton, (whose brother is rector of this parish, which includes Lyndhurst,) is on the right hand side of the road, and commands a pleasing view of the forest and some of the neighbouring villages. The approach to Lyndhurst is picturesque; the roads like smooth gravel walks, passing over a fine green turf: and several cottages on the right, finished with the greatest neatness, are agreeably opposed by an extensive opening to the forest and race-course on the left, bounded with noble woods. Although inconsiderable in size, irregularly built, and apparently little or no trade being carried on there, Lyndhurst still deserves the attention of the traveller, and we cannot deny it's claim to the appellation of a delightful Village. It stands on unequal ground near the centre of the forest, and seems well calculated for the residence of those who are fond of the sports of the field. Charles the second had a hunting box here, and the royal stable is now converted into barracks. The house is appropriated to the use of his Royal Highness the Duke of Glocester as Ranger of the new forest. It is but a mean building, fronting a little meadow, around which is a shrubbery walk: and at a small distance from the Church which is erected upon an artificial eminence, This building is very small, but extremely neat, and there is a gilt cupola on the tower which is seen at a great distance in different parts of the forest. The inside of the edifice corresponds exactly with the simplicity of it's external appearance; and we attended, with great pleasure, to an incomparable discourse, delivered in it by Mr. Compton. Here lies interred, Captain Deane, Aid de Camp to the Earl of Moira, who was unfortunately killed in the neighbourhood by a fall from his horse. There is no Chancel, but a sweep at the east end forms a kind of recess, in which the communion table is placed, and the pew for the Royal Family is close to it on the south side. Lyndhurst is only a chapel of ease to Minstead before mentioned, The road from Lyndhurst towards Southamp ton turns south-east, and passes through the only regular street in the village; it afterwards runs in a direct line through the forest. At the distance of about a mile from Lyndhurst, on the south-west is a very elegant and complete house belonging to Mr. Rose Secretary of the Treasury, who seems to have spared no expence in the improvement and decoration of a spot upon which Nature had previously lavished her greatest charms. The beautiful irregularity of the grounds; the richness of their verdure; the exuberant foliage |