Ill 



it. In the present vestry, originally a side chapel, an altar cloth 

 of the 15th century work, once a cope with the " Romsey passion 

 flower worked on it," attracted the attention of the curious in 

 needlework art. Much as the members wished to linger amid the 

 massive Norman pillars, and listen to the Vicar dwelling upon the 

 uniformity, beautiful in its variety, of the old Norman ornament, 

 yet much of the day's work was still before them, and they had 

 to bid their kind-hearted cicerone adieu, and move on to the New 

 Forest. After passing the bronze statue of Lord Palmerston and 

 the gates of Broadlands, where that eminent statesman lived, the 

 first halt was at the gates of Embley Park, to admire the avenue 

 of rhododendrons now in their wealth of flower. This was 

 memorable as once the home of Florence Nightingale. A lovely 

 drive through oaks and hollies, rich in their early summer foliage, 

 was taken to Stony Cross, about eight miles from Eomsey. 

 Here the brakes were left, and a short half-mile walk over springy 

 turf and by boggy hollows, home of the drosera rotundifolia and 

 bog myrtle (the former seemed to have been hugely enjoying its 

 carnivorous propensities, as the bodies of many slaughtered insects 

 were found on their thick haiiy leaves), and Eufus Stone was 

 reached, the reputed site of Eufus's death. The original oak was 

 replaced by a stone, the stone by the present hideous three-sided 

 iron pillar, on one face of which the following inscription is 

 cast : — " Here stood the oak tree on which an arrow, shot by Sir 

 Walter Tyrrell at a stag, glanced and struck King William the 

 Second (surnamed Kufus) on the breast, of which he instantly 

 died, on the second day of August, Anno Domini 1100." 

 Probably more enthusiasm was felt over the Forest scenery than 

 over the fabled site of the death of a red haired Norman. 

 Photographers of the party had been busily at work, and were 

 apparently successful in their attempts to catch the impressions of 

 the moment. The return to Eomsey, somewhat quicker than the 

 drive out, being effected in safety, some needed refreshments were 

 had at the White Horse, and the members arrived at Bath at 

 9.8 p.m., after an instructive and pleasant day. 



