THE EXETER ROAD 



ii3 



part of the Exeter road, in 1645, taking Basing House 

 (which had defied the Parliamentarians for four years), 

 stripping lead off the roof of the Abbey for casting 

 bullets for the purposes of the siege, and generally 

 impressing his iron personality on everything about. 

 Little remains, thanks to him and time, I regret to say, 

 of Basing House, except a ruined gateway and the 

 indelible memories of its gallant defence for the king ; 



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Courtyard, White Hart, Hook. 



but a great deal remains of the town of Basingstoke, 

 which is a modern growth from old Basing, and which, 

 though I understand it had once a large share of the 

 silk and woollen trade, is chiefly remarkable, from my 

 point of view, as being the place where many of the 

 West of England coaches stopped for their passengers 

 to dine. 



The road between here and Andovcr, about eighteen 



