'^11 SELBORNE. 
somewhat out of proportion to the central part, and the right 
one is much larger than the left, is substantial in its walls and 
Its roof. But there is a melancholy touch of the finger of time 
upon it — though how much of the pain which this excites may 
arise from the feeling that there is no Gilbert White there now 
it would perhaps not be easy to ascertain. 
The village continues straggling along for more than half a 
mile to the south-east of White's residence. The greater number 
of houses are on the left-hand side proceeding in this direction, 
and this is the side on which there is a sort of foot-pavement com- 
posed of pieces of rag-stone set up on edge. The tough malmy 
clay at the bottom of the hill comes very nearly down to the 
right side of the road here ; and the black vegetable mould, so 
favourable both for garden stuffs and for grass, occurs on the other 
side. The best inn, The Compasses," is situated on the left- 
hand side, a little way beyond the church, and, though it accords 
with the rural character of the place, it is very comfortable for so 
retired a situation ; and any one who may happen to visit Sel- 
borne may make sure of cleanliness and plenty, moderate charges, 
and most hospitable treatment. The back apartments of the inn 
overlook the very beautiful winding dell of the Liths, and there 
is no point from which this dell can be seen to more advantage 
than from the garden behind the inn. 
Lith, " Lithe," or " Lythe," means a joint or bend, which is 
very expressive of the character of this dell. It may be ^aid to 
begin at the north-west or Alton end of the village, where one 
branch of the " Bourne " makes its appearance, and, winding 
round north-east and south-east, passes under the steep escarp- 
ment where the vicarage and church stand, turns more in a 
southerly direction, and then again proceeds eastward from about 
the middle of the length of the village, away in the direction of 
the black heath called Woolmer Forest. Near the bending east- 
ward, it receives the more perennial branch of the Bourne," 
flowing from the well-head, which of course also runs in the hol- 
low ; but the ascents there are not quite so steep. The portion 
of the valley above the junction is the short Lith, and the bank 
of it opposite Selborne is covered with a fine hanging wood of 
larches, the lively green of which contrasts finely with the darker 
tint of the beeches of Selborne Hanger against it on the other 
side of the village, and also with the osier holts, hop gardens, and 
deciduous trees, now forming close woods, and now detached 
