in it. The remorseless ambition of Henry might have had recourse to murder, or the avenging shaft might have been sped by the desperate hand of some Englishman, tempted by a favourable opportunity and the traditions of the place According to the most authentic accounts the king was hit by a random arrow. The diversion of the day was over, the sun was declining, and William, dismounting his horse, was enjoying a moment's rest after the fatigue of the chase, when a stag darted suddenly across the heath. The king turning towards it, and lifting his hand to screen his eyes from the sun, at that moment received the arrow. The scene is a calm sequestered spot, open to the west, where the corner of a heath sinks gently into it, but sheltered on the east by a grove of beeches, and on the north and south by irregular clumps of trees, among which are seen several winding avenues of greensward. It is the very place where a person heated with toil might be allured to stop for a moment's repose. Uncon nected with the history it records, the scene is a pleasing one.

Ascending once more to the high road, and pursuing the heath over which it leads, we come upon a wide expanse, unadorned with wood, but bounded on every side by very extensive distances. In front we discover the high grounds of the Isle of Purbeck, on the left we have a large range over the Isle of Wight. In the retrospect we overlook the bay and town of Southampton, and on the right is a vast stretch of distant country, bounded by the hills of Dorsetshire and Wiltshire. It is from here to Ringwood a distance of seven miles, and the tourist can regain the railway either there or at Brokenhurst, as he may feel disposed.

Ringwood was in existence during the Roman occupation of Britain, and was a place of some importance in the Anglo

Saxon times. It is a neat, clean town, situated on the eastern side of the Avon, which here divides into three branches, each spanned by a stone bridge. Besides the parish church, there are places of worship for several other sects, and there is a small endowed school. The ale brewed here has a celebrity throughout the county, and after a day's march through the New Forest the traveller will find himself in a competent condition to test its excellence.

Between Ringwood and Christchurch, nine miles apart there are two roads parallel with each other, and separated by the river Avon. The one on the left bank of the river is most frequented, and passes by Lower Kingston, Avon, Ripley, Sopley, and Staple's Cross. In the vicinity of the latter are some noble mansions-Hinton House, Hinton Admiral, and High Cliff.

Christchurch is one of the principal towns in the Forest, and is pleasantly situated within the angle formed by the confluence of the Avon and the Stour. By the road it is a little better than twenty miles from Southampton, and about one hundred from London. The two rivers above named, after uniting about a mile and a half below the town, flow into Christchurch Bay, forming a harbour very spacious, but very shallow; for, being obstructed by a moving bar of sand, it can only be entered, even at high water, by small vessels. Good anchorage in six fathoms water is found in the bay, about two miles from shore, east of the harbour.

The town of Christchurch is of great antiquity, and here we find the ruins of a castle which was intended formerly to secure the mouth of the Avon. The priory of Christchurch was founded early in the Saxon era, for a fraternity of the order of St. Augustine. The last abbot was John Draper,

whom Henry the Eighth's commissioners reported to be " a very honest, conformable person. We found," say they, in their letter," the house well furnished with jellies and plate, whereof some be meete for the King's Majestie use." Some remains of the wall that enclosed the conventual buildings are yet standing, and without it, to the south-east, is a meadow still called the Convent Garden; in a field adjoining to which are the vestiges of several fishponds and stews. Another trace of this religious foundation may be found in a walk or ambulatory called "Paradise," now used as a place of recreation for the scholars of Christchurch school.

The principal entrance to the church is under a large porch, of the architecture of the fourteenth century, at the northwestern extremity. The arches of the doorways were originally very beautiful. The square embattled tower which rises at the west end of the church was built by the Montacutes, earls of Salisbury, in the 15th century. It is worth while entering the church, if only for the sake of some curious ancient monuments to be seen within, especially one in alabaster of a knight and his lady, supposed to have been erected to the memory of Sir John Chidiock, of Dorsetshire, who perished in one of the battles of York and Lancaster. The monkish legend says that the building of this church was hastened by a mysterious supernumerary workman, who always appeared at the hours of labour, though he never was present to receive either food or pay. To finish the building a large beam was raised to a particular situation; but, after it had been raised, it was found too short. This occurred in the evening, and when the workmen returned to the church on the ensuing morning, they discovered that the beam had been placed in its right position, and that it now extended a foot longer than was necessary.

They agreed, therefore, that this must have been supernatural agency, and gave that name to the church which it afterwards gave to the town. The miraculous beam is still shown.

Christchurch is one of the smaller boroughs which were permitted to return two members by the Reform Bill. The salmon and other fisheries, the breweries, the knitting of stockings, and the making of watch-springs, are the chief supports of the town, which has a population of about 5,000. There is a handsome hotel which commands a beautiful view of the sea, the Isle of Wight, and the Needles; and in the vicinity appears the site of a camp and entrenchments, with several tumuli and barrows.

Leaving Christchurch, and proceeding on the road to Lymington, ten miles farther, the coast-line assumes a bolder and more elevated character. To the right is a quaint, oldfashioned village, called Hordwell, and beyond is Hardwell Cliff, rising about 150 feet above the level of the sea. We next come to Milford, a small village three miles from Lymington, and situated between that town and Hurst Castle. Being opposite Alum Bay it affords some fine views of the Isle of Wight, and from here it is worth while to deviate from the exact course and visit Hurst Castle, built at the extreme point of an extraordinary natural causeway that runs into the sea. From this little peninsula the Island and the Needles form a marine prospect, dreary, vast, and grand; and, on a dull day, there are few places more calculated to infuse into the mind a solemn feeling of awe and desolation. The castle consists of a round tower fortified by semi-circular bastions, and was among the strongest of those castles which were built by Henry VIII. Though still occupied as a garrison, it is but of little strength, and since Portsmouth has been guarded by a

fleet, this place has been much neglected. The apartments are still shown where Charles I. was confined, when he was carried from the Island, and very miserable they are. Looking at the dismal rooms provided, and the dreary aspect of the locality, it seems just the kind of place to make anybody regard a trial and execution as a pleasant change.

A little farther on is Lymington, just at the point where the flat country we have been passing over from Christchurch descends to the river. The town occupies the brow and gentle descent of this falling ground, forming a handsome street, which overlooks the high ground on the opposite side of the river.

Of late years the town has received considerable improvements, with a view to invite visitors during the bathing season. Three thousand pounds have been subscribed for the erection of baths, and a similar sum for the establishment of gas works. The chief manufacture is that of salt, which some years ago was carried on to a considerable extent in the neighbourhood. The parish church, dedicated to St. Thomas â Becket, contains a number of handsome monuments. Lymington has returned two members to Parliament since the reign of Elizabeth. About a mile to the east of the town is Wallhampton, a noble seat, affording extensive views, and containing in the grounds a magnificent expanse of water, twelve acres in

extent.

Two miles from Lymington to the north is Boldre, the village church of which was, for above twenty years, the scene of the pastoral labours of the Rev. William Gilpin, author of those admirable works on "Forest Scenery," and the picturesque, to which we have before made allusion. This eminent man and excellent minister died in 1804, and was buried in