120 The New Forest: its Histonj and its Scenerij. 



did not destroy every churcli in tlie district, stands inside the 

 south porch. A piscina, and brackets for images, still remain in 

 the chancel. 



Returning to Fordingbridge we pass through Burgate, 

 formerly belonging to Beaulieu Abbey, where the dogs of the 

 Lord of the Manor, like those of the Abbot of the Monastery, 

 were allowed to go " unlawed." The base of the old village 

 cross still remains, but the head was, not long ago, broken to 

 pieces to mend the roads. 



Our way from Fordingbridge lies by the side of the Avon, 

 with the new chapel of Hyde or Hungerford standing on the top 

 of the Forest range of hills. The road soon brings us to 

 Ibbesley, the prettiest of villages in the Valley, with its cottages 

 by the road-side, and their gardens of roses and poppies and 

 sweet pease, and their porches thatched with honeysuckle. Three 

 great elms overhang the river, spanned by the single arch of 

 its bridge ; whilst the stream pours sparkling and foaming over 

 the weir into the water-meadows, and in the distance the tower 

 of Harbridge rises out from its trees. 



The sketch which is given at the end of this chapter is taken 

 lower down in the fields, and shows another view not so well 

 known. But the whole river is here full of beauty, winding, 

 scarce kno^\ing where, among the flat meadows, one stream 

 flowing one way, and one another, and then all suddenly uniting, 

 coming up with their joined force against the steep banks, dark 

 in the shade of the trees ; and, being rej)ulsed, flowing away 

 again into the meadows, white with flocks of swans, and fenced 

 in by green hedges of rushes and yellow flags. 



Going on we reach the avenue of elms which brings us to 

 the Ellingham cross roads. Turning up the lane to the left we 

 l^resently come to Moyles Court, just on the boundary of the 



120 



