268 



^ ^eolojical <SKetc^ of t|e laKeg of t|e Rennet 



By the Rev. John Adams, M.A. 



fiT was remarked by Sir J. Awdry in the opening address 

 which he gave at Hungerford, as President of the Wiltshire 

 Archaeological Society, that the enjoyment of travelling would be 

 much increased if men would keep their eyes open, and accustom 

 themselves to notice the physical features of the countries through 

 which they passed. Let any-one follow this hint in going from 

 Marlborough to Reading, and he will experience the truth of the 

 president's remark. The scenery which he traverses will be clothed 

 with new fascinations, and he will find it deeply interesting to 

 think about, as well as pleasant to gaze upon. Several striking 

 features in the general aspect of the country will at once arrest 

 his attention, especially if he can look around him with a geological 

 eye. As he leaves behind him the richly wooded slopes of Saver- 

 nake Forest, and begins to follow the course of the river, — "The 

 Kennet swift for silver eels renowned," he will notice, that the 

 land on both sides of the valle}'^ rises in gigantic terraces, cut through 

 at frequent intervals by ravines ; and that on the south side it 

 stretches away for several miles in a plateau, covered with luxuriant 

 trees. Beyond this woodland he will gaze with admiration on the 

 Hampshire hills, springing abruptly from the plain, like the lofty 

 coast-line of some inland sea. One might travel far across the hills 

 and dales of England without finding a scene of such varied beauty 

 as this. But, independently of its beauty, each feature in the land- 

 scape has another and deeper interest to the man who will look below 

 the surface, and study the physical character of the country ; for this 

 crystal river with its fertile meadows, those broken terraces covered 

 with foliage, and yonder range of stately hills, rising almost bare 

 and treeless from the forest-like plain, will, if we thoughtfully ex- 

 amine them, unfold to us the secret of their origin, and teach us some 



