185 



fissures of the limestone rock, of which the hill 

 consists. 



This soil appears peculiarly adapted to the 

 growth of trees, for independent of the flourishing 

 orchards already noticed, the plantation of ashes 

 which shelter the hall on the north, have been long 

 noted as some of the loftiest in the county; one of 

 the trees in particular is remarkable for its stem, 

 straight as an arrow, and rising above 50 feet with- 

 out a single branch, and at the same time of extra- 

 ordinary thickness thoughout. 



In the field at the east end of the hospital, is a 

 venerable walnut tree, 4 yards 3 inches in circum- 

 ference at the bole, and with several gigantic limbs 

 scarcely inferior in magnitude to the parent stem. 

 It is still in a very flourishing condition, and yields 

 abundance of fruit. Its branches cover a circle of 

 ground, whose diameter is 24 yards, and form a 

 noble shade for the cattle of the adjoining pasture. 

 Another beautiful avenue of limes and beech, skirt- 

 ing the south bank of the Rye, extends from the 

 hall to the mill: a mill which is memorable, as 

 having occupied this site from times anterior to 

 William the Conqueror, being mentioned in the an- 

 cient record of that monarch, entitled * Domesday.' 



About five years ago, several silver coins, of dif- 

 ferent sizes, of the reign of Edward II[., were 

 turned up by the plough in a field below Nunning- 

 ton, at a distance of a quarter of a mile N. vr. of 

 the village. The largest of these coins, some of 

 which are in the possession of Mr. George Peacock, 



are the groats of that reign, so called from their 

 Aa 



