342 



Savernalce, May 25ih. Three hours' tedious railway journey- 

 to Savernake station were passed in comfort in the sal'ion 

 carriage provided for us by the G.W.R., the delay at Trowbridj 

 being taken advantage of to visit the Rectory and Church where r li 

 poet Crabbe passed some years of his life, and now lies buri'il 

 (Fide Proceedings, vol. vi., No. 1, p. 106.) Arriving at the staii iti 

 at 1.30 the members were not sorry to leave their carriage and 

 breast the rising ground leading to the entrance of the Forest on tlie 

 S.W. Making direct for the obelisk, showing its top above tip- 

 trees on the left, they struck across the springy turf, and from iln' 

 traces of sand, pebbles, and chalky debris which the rabbits liwi 

 brought out to the entrance of their burrows saw at once \i'\v 

 suitable the soil was for tree growth. The obelisk tells its o\\>) 

 tale from the following inscription on the S.E. face : — 



This columu was erected 



by Thomas Bruce, Earl of Ailesbiiry, 



as a Testimony 



of gratitude 



to his ever honoured Uncle, 



Charles, Earl of Ailesbury and Elgin, 



Who left to him these Estates, 



and procured for him the Barouy of Tottenham. 



And of loyalty 



To his Most Gracious Sovereign 



George III., 



who unsolicited conferred upon him 



the honour of an Earldom. 



But above all 



of Piety 



To God first, highest, best. 



Whose blessing consecrateth 



every gift 



And fixeth its true value. 



MDCCLXXXI. 



The long vista to the S.E. carries the eye to Tottenham 

 House. Turning to the right and following one of the roads to 

 the N.E., the members were tempted to wander off in quest of 



