OF SELBORNE. 439 



would not much, approve of such, a place of worship ; for it 

 has at present much more the appearance of a dungeon than 

 of a room fit for the reception of people of condition. The 

 field on which this oratory abuts is still called Chapel Field. 

 The situation of this house is very particular, for it stands 

 upon the immediate verge of a steep abrupt hill. 



Not many years since, this place was used for a hop-kiln, 

 and was divided into two stories by a loft, part of which re- 

 mains at present, and makes it convenient for peat and turf, 

 with which it is stowed. 1 



LETTER X. 



HE Priory at times was much obliged to Gur- 

 don and his family. As Sir Adam began to 

 advance in years he found his mind influenced 

 by the prevailing opinion of the reasonable- 

 ness and efficacy of prayers for the dead ; 

 and therefore, in conjunction with his wife Constantia, in 

 the year 1271, granted to the prior and convent of Selborne 

 all his right and claim to a certain place, placea, called La 

 Pleystow, in the village aforesaid, " in libemm, puram, et 

 perpetuam elemosinam" This Pleystow, 2 locus ludorum } or 

 play-place, is a level area near the church of about forty- 

 four yards by thirty-six, and is known now by the name of 

 the Plestor. 3 



1 There is not a vestige now remaining of the house described by 

 Gilbert White. But the modern residence, in its whitened walls, 

 slated roof, and squared form (the very reverse of the irregular and 

 picturesque building represented on the opposite page), occupies nearly 

 the same position with its predecessor, and commands the same exten- 

 sive view over the forest, ED. 



2 In Saxon Plegej-top, or Plegycop ; viz. Plegestow, or Plegstow. 

 G. W. 



3 At this juncture probably the vast oak, mentioned p. 5, was planted 

 by the prior, as an ornament to his new acquired market-place. Accord- 

 ing to this supposition the oak was aged four hundred and thirty-two 

 years when blown down. G. W. 



