12 AN OLD HAMPSHIRE MANOR HOUSE. 



destroyed. The cellars were full of Wcater into which the floors had 

 fallen, the windows, or rather the spaces where they had formerly 

 heen, were boarded up, the whole place a prey to the spoiler. 

 When bricks were required a room was pulled down ; when a fire 

 wanted lighting a floor was I'ipped up, or a panel was broken 

 down. The house was given up to the bats and owls. The latter 

 resented interference strongly, and long after the house was again 

 inhabited, screamed and hooted down the broad old-fashio4ied 

 chimneys, till they made night a terror. 



With patience and care, the house is now restored as nearly as 

 possible as it can be, in the same style in which it originally stood. 

 Some carvings and panellings, said to have been in the Chapel 

 attached to the house, have been restored to the walls. The old 

 ponds and moats have been cleared of mud, and the gardens 

 restored to their legitimate uses, and inquisitive seekers may still 

 be gratified by a sight of the hole in which were found, according 

 to tradition, the unfortunate fugitives from the battle of Sedgmoor, 

 and the history, and sad fate of Alice Lisle, Avill it is hoped be 

 preserved in connection Avith the old house on the borders of the 

 Forest for many generations. 



