BLANDFORD 257 



the distinctive appellation of ' Forum ' derived, is still 

 in existence. 



One comes downhill into Blandford, all the way 

 from Pimperne, and it remains a standing wonder 

 how the old coachmen managed to drive their top- 

 heavy conveyances through the steep and narrow 

 streets by which the town is entered from London, 

 without upsetting and throwing the ' outsides ' through 

 the first-floor windows. 



If the outskirts of Blandford town are of so 

 mediaeval a straitness, the chief streets of it are 

 spacious indeed and lined with houses of a classic 

 breadth and dignity, as classicism was understood in 

 the days of George the Second, when the greater part 

 of the town was burnt down and rebuilt. One needs 

 not to be in love with classic, or debased classic, 

 architecture to love Blandford. The town is stately, 

 and with a thoroughly urban air, although its streets 

 are so quiet, clean, and well-ordered. Civilisation 

 without its usual accompaniments of rush and crowded 

 pavements w^ould seem to be the rule of Blandford. 

 You can actually stand in the street and admire the 

 architectural details of its houses without beino- run 

 over or hustled ofi" the pavement. In short, Blandford 

 can be seen, and not, like crowded towns, glimpsed 

 with intermittent and alternate glances at the place 

 and at the trafiic, for fear of jostling or being 

 jostled. 



Who, for instance, really sees London. You can 

 stand in Hyde Park and see that, or in St. Paul's 

 and observe all the details of it ; but does anyone ever 

 really see Cheapside, Fleet Street, or the Strand, when 



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