The Natural History of Se I borne 33 



nothing is to be seen but smother and desolation, the whole 

 circuit round looking like the cinders of a volcano ; and, the soil 

 being quite exhausted, no traces of vegetation are to be found 

 for years. These conflagrations, as they take place usually 

 with a north-east or east wind, much annoy this village with 

 their smoke, and often alarm the country ; and, once in par- 

 ticular, I remember that a gentleman, who lives beyond 

 Andover, coming to my house, when he got on the downs 

 between that town and Winchester, at twenty-five miles dis- 

 tance, was surprised much with smoke and a hot smell of fire ; 

 and concluded that Alresford was in flames; but, when he 

 came to that town, he then had apprehensions for the next 

 village, and so on to the end of his journey. 



On two of the most conspicuous eminences of this forest 

 stand two arbours or bowers, made of the boughs of oaks; 

 the one called Waldon Lodge, the other Brimstone Lodge: 

 these the keepers renew annually on the feast of St. Barnabas, 

 taking the old materials for a perquisite. The farm called 

 Blackmoor, in this parish, is obliged to find the posts and 

 brush-wood for the former; while the farms at Greatham, in 

 rotation, furnish for the latter; and are all enjoined to cut 

 and deliver the materials at the spot. This custom I men- 

 tion, because I look upon it to be of very remote antiquity. 



