5* 



than the supreme dominance of the English tongue over millions in 

 the new worlds of the West and in the ancient worlds of the East." 

 If ever English becomes a world language, it will depend on whether 

 its inheritors elevate and maintain its character and are strong enough 

 to uphold and extend its sway. 



A picture of a page of Ruskin's type, with alterations by that 

 great writer, by permission of his publishers, showed how carefully 

 and minutely he weighed the value of each word, and each turn 

 in a sentence. 



The lecture, which throughout, was of a deeply intellectual and 

 thoughtful character, was listened to with the greatest attention, 

 and the Chairman, in proposing the usual vote of thanks remarked 

 that he did not know which to admire the more, the immense stores 

 of erudition possessed by the lecturer, or the skilful manner in which 

 he communicated his knowledge to the audience. 



Sopley Church. 



A lecture delivered before the Archozo logical Section, 24th Feb. f Jpio, 

 by the late A. Scott, Esq., B.A., Hon. Librarian. 



[This lecture was selected for publication in the " Proceedings," but Mr. Scott's 

 deeply regretted death has prevented his supervision through the press]. 



The pretty village of Sopley, on the Avon, lies nearly midway 

 between Ringwood and Christchurch. On approaching its 

 famous old church, one is struck with the peculiarities of the 

 site — an artificial mound thrown up near a branch of the Avon, on 

 which stands an ancient mill with eel traps mentioned in Domesday 

 800 years ago ! Many of our local archaeologists, of which the late 

 Mr. Shore may be quoted as typical, regard these church mounds, 

 which are of frequent occurrence in Hampshire, as indicative of 

 Celtic origin. If so, a Pagan temple may have stood on the mound, 

 which the early Christian missionaries re-adjusted and converted to 

 their use. So the wargod of the Pagan was deposed and the 

 warrior angel St. Michael made the patron of the new era. This 

 and much more may be possible, but we must say that every 

 reliable trace of pre-Norman work, if it ever existed, has completely 

 disappeared — Celt, Roman, Saxon and, we may add, Norman, have 

 vanished with the ages. Legends and traditions exist of battle — 

 a coin of Vespasian was found some years since in Sopley Park — 

 a lane running from the Forest to Sopley is called Derrit Lane 

 (Dane route lane ?) — and the Sambucus ebulus or Danewort has 

 been found there, etc. 



That a church in the Saxon period existed at Sopley is, how- 

 ever, certain, for a Norman charter recites that Orricus took away 

 some lands from Sopley Church and gave it to Twynham. Of the 



