72 
dated from the time of Queen Elizabeth. The other part of the 
mansion, which was occupied by himself as a dwelling-house, was 
built in the reign of Charles II., and there was an addition to it 
in the time of Queen Anne. The furniture was probably three 
hundred or four hundred years old. In the old Dock, which is of 
solid oak, prisoners still stood for trial. They would see, if they 
examined it, that apparently no tool had been used in its construc- 
tion but an axe. Chained to the wall is an ancient stirrup, which 
tradition says was worn by William Rufus at the time of his 
death— 
‘* And still in merry Lyndurst Hall 
Red Williams’ stirrup decks the wall, 
Who lists the sight may see,” 
But the probability was that it belonged to the time of Henry VIII., 
as it corresponded to the stirrups of that period. It is 105 inches 
wide and 74 inches deep, and at one time, in connection with the 
government of the Forest, it was put toa curious use. Within 
the bounds of the Forest no man was allowed to keep a dog which 
could not go through the stirrup unless it was “ expedited ”—that 
is to say, unless it had the ball of its fore-feet cut to prevent it 
being used in coursing. A little dog that could go through the 
stirrup was supposed to be guileless of poaching. Needless to say, 
that the ancient Hall and Dock, and this curious old relic, were 
examined by the visitors, after these most interesting remarks, 
with the greatest attention and pleasure. The Verderers’ Hall is 
also now used as the headquarters and armoury of the Lyndhurst 
Rifle Volunteers. 
A hasty run was next made through the parish church, erected in 
1861 on the site of an older one, on a mound at the west end of 
the village, and celebrated for the beautiful fresco of the Ten 
Virgins, by Sir Frederick Leighton, P.R.A. Unfortunately the 
church was under repair at the time of our visit, and the painting 
was closely covered up, so that it could not be seen. 
Tue Drive to Mark AsH AND BoLDREWOOD. 
About 3 o’clock a start was made for a drive in the Forest. 
The route was south-westerly, and took the party by Cuffnells 
House, Knightwood, Viney Ridge, and Rhinefield to Mark Ash and 
Boldrewood—which all lie within a radius of about 4 miles south 
