By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 



369 



roofing of the stables and otter buildings, in addition to other 

 damage. And now hurling down several trees on its way, it 

 reached Blacklands Park (the seat of Mr. Marshall Hall), hitherto 

 renowned for its magnificent timber, and then the work of destruc- 

 tion began in earnest, all its previous efforts having been mere 

 child's play compared to the fury of its attacks here. First it par- 

 tially unroofed the new lodge, and snapped off many of the firs 

 which formed a shelter at its back, then rushing forth into the Park, 

 swept down no less than one hundred and forty eight trees, some 

 of great size and beauty, tearing up some by the roots, and snapping 

 off other large trunks, as if they had been twigs ; so that to the in- 

 mates of the house, who were looking from the windows, and who 

 were slightly removed from the main line of the storm, it appeared 

 as if all the trees in the Park were simultaneously, and in an in- 

 stant dashed headlong to the earth. But the work of desolation 

 goes on apace now, and away goes the storm, leaving blacklands 

 far behind, along the Bath road, which for a good mile from this 

 spot and towards Marlborough was blocked up by fallen timber. 

 Here too it crossed the road, and visited Mr. Bodman's farm, 

 the property of Lord Lansdowne : then the Hail farm, occupied by 

 Mr. Arnold, and belonging to Mr. Heneage, where a vast number 

 of trees (amounting in all to about one hundred) were prostrated 

 in every direction : and thence to Mr. Maundrell's farm, the 

 property of Mr. Poynder, when again forty more trees were added 

 to the list of victims. Here it seems to have contracted its breadth, 

 and to have rushed up the gully, along which the greater part of 

 the village of Cherhill is built, and here, confined within narrower 

 limits, its fury seems to have been poured upon every thing which 

 came in its way, so that scarcely a tree stands unscathed, while 

 hundreds are lying in every direction, and scarcely a cottage 

 retains its roof, the thatch and tiles and in some cases chimneys 

 falling victims to its attacks. A few of the most prominent parti- 

 culars in this locality may exemplify its violence : and first Cherhill 

 Mill deserves especial mention, no less than fifty trees (half of them 

 elms, and the remaining half apple and other fruit trees) having been 

 thrown down within a very small space ; and yet Mr. Reynolds the 



