116 AUTUMNAL LEAVES. 



beyond are water-meadows in which cattle are 

 peacefully feeding. Beyond again is an irregular 

 headline of woods. But a pretty sight lies close 

 by the bridge where stands a house the e George ' 

 inn fronting the river. Its brick walls are 

 delightfully draped with greenery and adorned by 

 abounding red berries. A hedge of fuchsia and 

 other shrubs borders the river side of the garden, 

 whilst grass-grown, gravelled paths and a gor- 

 geous array of flowers, with its vine-clad out- 

 buildings, make the little inn suggestive of quiet 

 rest after a long journey through country roads. 



We have crossed the bridge on our way from 

 Bingwood to get to our inn, but shall need to 

 re-cross it on setting out for Bramshaw. The 

 ancient name of Forde by which this town was 

 known has, in modern times, become Fording- 

 bridge. The manor was mentioned in Domes- 

 day and then included a Church and mills. Two 

 mills were entered in the record with a rent of 

 fourteen shillings and twopence. The woods of 

 Oak and Beech which then surrounded it, but are 

 now gone, were valued at twenty shillings a year 

 as pannage for swine. They formed, of course a 



