150 Savernake Forest [1894 



fortunately brought back by some farm people who had found them 

 grazing two miles away. We then 



' lyth Aug. — Followed the Ridgeway, a rough grass track along the 

 crest of the down as far as near Lyddington Castle, when, striking a 

 high road, we turned left and came to Aldbourne, and so to the Kennet 

 river and Savernake Forest, where just before sunset we camped under 

 one of the beech avenues, a lovely spot, dry and secluded, except for the 

 wandering fallow deer. To-night we bivouacked, there being no sign 

 of rain. It was my birthday of fifty-four, yet I feel little of the cares 

 of age. 



" 18th Aug. — Away before seven driving across the forest, which is 

 splendid. Near its centre stands a column with the following inscrip- 

 tion of supreme grandiloquence: 



This column was erected 



by Thomas Bruce Earl of Ailesbury 



as a testimony 



of gratitude 



to his ever honoured uncle 



Charles Earl of Ailesbury and Elgin 



who left him these Estates 



and procured for him the Barony 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 



" On the other side is a second inscription hardly less amusing: 



In commemoration 



of 



a signal instance of Heaven's protecting Providence 



OVER THESE KINGDOMS 



in the year 1789 



by restoring to perfect health 



from a long and afflicting disorder 



their excellent and beloved Sovereign 



GEORGE THE THIRD 



This tablet was inscribed 



by 



GEORGE BRUCE EARL OF AILESBURY 



