Sumptibus et propriis squalentia tecta refecit Quo locus esse queant musis non esse tenebris There is an agreeable ride from Ringwood to Christchurch; the distance is nine miles, without a hill. The river Avon flows on the right, and beyond it are bold grounds forming a distance. Between three and four miles from Ringwood stands the old mansion of Bistern, part of which appears to be of the age of James I. Between six and seven miles from Ringwood, on an eminence overlooking the river, stands Sopley church,' an ancient cruciform structure. Two outrageously ugly figures support the eaves of the roof of the northern transept. Beyond this, the road passes through the villages of Winkton and Burton, which are remarkable for the number of neat and convenient dwellings which they contain. It is a rather singular fact, that the traveller may pass from Lymington to Christchurch, and thence to Salisbury, a distance of nearly forty miles, without a turnpike; and all the way on parochial roads, repaired by statute labour, of uncommon excellence. The return from Ringwood by Boldrewood lodge can be recommended only in very favourable weather: at other times this cross-road is in an unpleasant state. BOLDREWOOD LODGE was a favourite residence of the late Lord Delawar. It is now neglected. M "This house enjoys one of the finest situations of the forest. It stands high, with an extensive lawn before it ; from which it commands a vast extent of forest scenery, spread around in great variety of distance, particularly towards Burley lodge, where the woods stretch far and wide, beyond a lengthened savannah, which sets them off to great advantage. On the other side of the lawn the distances are woody, but more broken, and not so remote. "All the woods, not only around this lodge but in its neighbourhood, abound in beech. The mast of this tree is the most fattening food for deer, and gives great repute to the winter venison of Boldrewood Walk. "These woods also afford excellent feeding for hogs; which are led in the autumn season into many parts of the forest, but especially among the oaks and beeches of Boldrewood, to fatten on mast.* *"The method of treating hogs at this season of migration, and of reducing a large herd of these unmanageable brutes to perfect obedience and good government, is curious. "The first step the swineherd takes, is to investigate some close sheltered part of the forest, where there is a conveniency of water, and plenty of oak or beech mast, the former of which he prefers, when he can have it in sufficient abundance. He fixes next on some spreading tree, round the bole of which he wattles a slight circular fence, of the dimensions he wants, and, covering it roughly with boughs and sods, he fills it plentifully with straw, or fern. 66 Having made this preparation, he collects his colony among the farmers, with whom he commonly agrees for a shilling a head, and will get together, perhaps, a herd of five or six hundred hogs. Having driven them to their destined habitation, he gives them a plentiful supper of acorns, or beech mast, which he had already, provided, sounding his horn during the repast. He then turns them into the litter, where, after a long journey, and a hearty meal, they sleep deliciously. The next morning he lets them look a little around them, shows them the pool or stream where they may occasionally drink, leaves them to pick up the offals of the last night's meal, and as evening draws on gives them another plentiful repast under the neighbouring "It is among the rights of the forest borderers to feed their hogs in the forest during the pawnage month, as it is called, which commences about the end of September, and lasts six weeks. For this privilege they pay a trifling acknowledgment at the steward's court at Lyndhurst. The word pawnage was the old term for the money thus collected." Beyond Boldrewood lodge, the road winds through beautiful woods to Lyndhurst. For the road from Lyndhurst to Southampton, see page 32. trees, which rain acorns upon them for an hour together, at the sound of his horn. He then sends them again to sleep. "The following day he is perhaps at the pains of procuring them another meal, with the music playing as usual. He then leaves them a little more to themselves, having an eye, however, on their evening hours. But as their bellies are full, they seldom wander far from home, retiring commonly very orderly to bed. "After this, he throws his sty open, and leaves them to cater for themselves; and from henceforward has little more trouble with them during the whole time of their migration. Now and then, in calm weather, when mast falls sparingly, he calls them perhaps together by the music of his horn to a gratuitous meal: but in general they need little attention, returning regularly home at night, though they often wander two or three miles from the sty. There are experienced leaders in all herds, which have spent this roving life before, and can instruct their juniors in the method of it. By this management the herd is carried home to their respective owners in such condition that a little dry meat will soon fatten them."-Gilpin's Forest Scenery, vol, ii. p. 110. Proceeding to Totton as before, we pass the turnpike gate, and take the road on the right, which commences with scenes of cultivation. Advancing, we see on the left, graced with stately woods, MARLINGS, a name lately adopted instead of the very ancient appellation of TATCHBURY MOUNT. The views of Southampton Water, from this situation, are most enchanting; and they are said much to resemble those of the bay of Naples. To a new house, built near, the old name is now applied. Tatchbury occurs in Domesday-book, under the name of Teocreberie. As it has the usual termination of all such spots as formerly had camps upon them, there can be no doubt of its having been, in early times, a British military station. The vallations are still very conspicu ous from the terrace, which encircles the area of the mount; and, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, (according to Norden,) there were vestiges of an enormous camp on the summit. There is a tradition, that Tatchbury was once a royal hunting-seat, and that the house extended far northward, to the present barton, or yard. This, perhaps, was when the court was held at Winchester; and when Southampton was frequently visited by our kings. At this time, some place of worship probably stood here; the name of Chapel-field being still retained. (The best. road to Tatchbury turns off before the sixth milestone.) After passing the fifth stone, various views break in on the right, of the village and church of Nutshaling, and the neighbourhood. We have next, on the right also, LITTLE TESTWOOD. The road near it is close, but soon opens, and admits distant views of rich wood scenery. A windmill is seen on the left. Beyond the seventh stone, we have cultivated country, with wood scenery, and views on the right. We now reach the hamlet of OWER, which is part of the parish of Eling, though above five miles from the church. Here we avoid the road on the right, which leads to Romsey.. About the eighth stone, we pass, on the left, the enclosures of PAULTONS. The house is not seen from the road, being situated low, and at some distanee. The following observations on the grounds, are Mr. Gilpin's. "Paultons was one of the first works of Mr. Brown, and therefore deserves the attention of the curious; though in itself it is a pleasing scene. The situation of the house is that of an abbey; low, sheltered, and se |