Xl1 SELBORNE. 



somewhat out of proportion to the central part, and the right 

 one is much larger than the left, is substantial in its walls and 

 its roof. But there is a melancholy touch of the finger of time 

 upon it though how much of the pain which this excites may 

 arise from the feeling that there is no Gilbert White there now 

 it would perhaps not be easy to ascertain. 



The village continues straggling along for more than half a 

 mile to the south-east of White's residence. The greater number 

 of houses are on the left-hand side proceeding in this direction, 

 and this is the side on which there is a sort of foot-pavement com- 

 posed of pieces of rag-stone set up on edge. The tough malmy 

 clay at the bottom of the hill comes very nearly down to the 

 right side of the road here ; and the black vegetable mould, so 

 favourable both for garden stuffs and for grass, occurs on the other 

 side. The best inn, " The Compasses," is situated on the left- 

 hand side, a little way beyond the church, and, though it accords 

 with the rural character of the place, it is very comfortable for so 

 retired a situation ; and any one who may happen to visit Sel- 

 borne may make sure of cleanliness and plenty, moderate charges, 

 and most hospitable treatment. The back apartments of the inn 

 overlook the very beautiful winding dell of the Liths, and there 

 is no point from which this dell can be seen to more advantage 

 than from the garden behind the inn. 



Lith, " Lithe," or " Lythe," means a joint or bend, which is 

 very expressive of the character of this dell. It may be said to 

 begin at the north-west or Alton end of the village, where one 

 branch of the " Bourne " makes its appearance, and, winding 

 round north-east and south-east, passes under the steep escarp- 

 ment where the vicarage and church stand, turns more in a 

 southerly direction, and then again proceeds eastward from about 

 the middle of the length of the village, away in the direction of 

 the black heath called Woolmer Forest. Near the bending east- 

 ward, it receives the more perennial branch of the " Bourne," 

 flowing from the well-head, which of course also runs in the hol- 

 low ; but the ascents there are not quite so steep. The portion 

 of the valley above the junction is the short Lith, and the bank 

 of it opposite Selborne is covered with a fine hanging wood of 

 larches, the lively green of which contrasts finely with the darker 

 tint of the beeches of Selborne Hanger against it on the other 

 side of the village, and also with the osier holts, hop gardens, and 

 deciduous trees, now forming close woods, and now detached 



