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Renfrewshire, who died here on his way to Italy for the benefit of 
his health in 1827. Red Bridge—a corruption of ‘ Reed Bridge” ; 
at the sedgy ford of the river Test, which flows into the head of 
Southampton Water—is a long and substantial structure, and it 
is recorded that a bridge was repaired here as early as the year 
1270. The vicinity of the bridge was an important centre of traffic 
in olden times, being the port for the New Forest where most of 
the timber was shipped, but it is now deserted of every vestige of 
shipping craft larger than a pleasure boat or fisherman’s coble. 
A pleasant drive along the road we had traversed the previous 
evening brought us to Lyndhurst soon after 9 o’clock, where our guides 
were waiting our arrival. The day’s programme was soon arranged, 
and before 10 o’clock the carriages had defiled out of Lyndhurst for 
the northern parts of the Forest. The party had again the benefit 
of the presence of the Hon. Gerald Lascelles, Deputy-Surveyor of 
the Forest, who accompanied them in all their perambulations of this 
great Forest area over which he so worthily presides, as also that of 
his three most obliging assistants, Mr J. H. Dixon, Minstead ; Mr 
J. H. Roberts, Ashurst Lodge ; and Mr H. E. Holloway, Holmsley 
Lodge ; who had taken the keenest interest in all the proceedings. 
MINSTEAD. 
Taking the route by Minstead and Malwood to Rufus’ Stone, we 
drive along an excellent level road for some distance, amid 
charming forest scenery, with the richly wooded policies of 
Northerwood rising up on our left to Emery Down, and the site of the 
old racecourse stretching wide over the level ground to the right. 
About a mile from Lyndhurst we cross the source of the Beaulieu 
river, in the midst of the most lovely woodland scenery. A 
little farther on Minstead Manor House, the seat of the Compton 
family, is seen on the left, with its stately avenues, fine trees, quiet 
woodlands, verdant parks, and pretty cottages wreathed in floral 
beauty—a veritable oasis in the heart of the wild Forest. About 
three miles from Lyndhurst we pass through the rustic Forest village 
of Minstead, with a quaintly picturesque aspect about it of the 
olden time. The parish of Minstead extends to 10,041 acres, but is 
sparsely peopled, with only about 850 inhabitants, chiefly gathered 
in the small hamlets scattered over its wide area. The parish 
church is an ancient edifice, dating from 1250, but it seems to 
have more than once received an eke in its long history. On the 
F 
