154 THE EXETER ROAD 



thus kept alive, while tlie other three are inscribed 

 with texts or verses from favourite hymns. The par- 

 ticulars of age and death are repeated on a little 

 wooden shield above. 



During the last eight years three of these memo- 

 rials have been added. They are 

 placed here after liaving Ijeen carried 

 in front of the coffin on the day of 

 the funeral. On such occasions the 

 garland is carried by two girls, dressed 

 in white, with curiously folded hand- 

 kerchiefs on their heads. There is 

 FUNERAL GARLAND, HOW ouly ouc otlicr phicB in England, 

 abbot's axx. ^^ Matlock, in Derljyshire, where this 

 curious custom survives. 



These villages, together with Amport, Thruxton, 

 Monxton, and East Cholderton, lie in the triangular 

 district between the branchino- of the two p:reat 

 routes of the road to Exeter. Just out of Andover, 

 on the rising road, stands the old toll -house that 

 commanded either route, with the mileao-e to various 

 towns still displayed prominently on its walls. Tlie 

 right-hand road leads to the Weyhill and Amesbury 

 branch of the Exeter Road, while the left-hand fork 

 is the main road to Salisluuy. Passing this toll-house, 

 the old road runs through an inhospitable succession of 

 uplands which are for the most part a weariness alike 

 to mind and Ijody, whether you walk, or cycle, or 

 drive a horse, or uroe forth vour wild career on a 

 motor-car. Going westwards, the gradient is chiefly 

 a risino- one for a lono; distance after lea vine: Andover 

 behind, and it is not until 'the Wallops' are reached, 



