SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
199 
consisted originally of chancel, nave, south aisle, and western tower. About 
1220 the chancel was lengthened — it now inclines sensibly to the south and 
a north aisle was subsequently added. Other noteworthy features are a double 
piscina in the chancel, two large squints, and a Norman font supported by four 
short shafts of Purbeck marble. Brasses are too numerous to be named in 
detail. In the sixties of the last century a complete restoration was effected 
under the auspices of Mr. Street. 
Attractive though the church and general district may be, it is the name and 
personality of John Milton that draw so many visitors to Chalfont. Hither the 
blind poet, at the instance of Thomas Ellwood, the Quaker, retired to escape the 
plague. Here, in the cottage with its diamond panes, he gave the finishing 
touches to “ Paradise Lost,” and received from Ellwood the suggestion to write 
“ Paradise Regained ” The cottage is now used in part as a museum and 
contains relics of great value. 
Leaving with reluctance a place so teeming with historic names and associa- 
tions, the Selbornians found consolation in the beauty of the homeward walk, 
which was varied for them by the kindly forethought of Mr. Wilson, the guide. 
A path was followed through an extensive beech wood, into which there 
penetrated now and again the almost horizontal rays of the setting sun. 
illuminating faintly the Gothic stems, while tired feet rustled gently against 
thick layers of last year’s leaves beneath. On and among these were discovered 
large numbers of the yellow under-wing moth, themselves an object lesson in 
environment. 
August 6. — Between twenty and thirty members joined the delightful ramble 
conducted by Mr. C. M. Hailes. A start was made from Chalfont Road Station, 
and very soon the party found themselves being led along pleasant paths which 
ran through cool beech woods. These were not so dense nor extensive, however, 
that the bright sunshine could not be seen streaming in between the tree-trunks 
at the edges in a most picturesque manner. The necessity for inward refreshment 
demanded that the village of Chenies should be sought, and here the church came 
in for considerable attention, which it well deserves. It is the burial place of the 
Russell family, and many fine tombs are to be seen in the large chapel which 
monop>olises a great proportion of the church. After tea a descent was made 
into the Sarrett Valley, and by the water the yellow Mimulus seen at West 
Drayton was again found. In a small stream some ducks were watched with 
considerable amusement, for one had caught a freshwater crayfish, and his fellows 
were so anxious to share in the spoil, and this evinced such a strong desire to 
escape, that it seemed likely that the meal would have to be postponed. As the 
evening began to draw in, another wood was entered, and on leaving this a short 
walk brought the party to Chorley Wood Station, where the train was taken for 
town. Mr. Whiting, of Hampstead, was present, and as usual added to the 
general enjoyment ; and considering the time of year also, quite a number of 
members of Council assembled to take advantage of the labours of their colleague, 
Mr. Hailes. 
August 13. — About nineteen members and others assembled at Oxshott for a 
ramble to the Black Pond. The way led over the purple heatherland of Oxshott 
Common, through lanes deep in Bagshot sand, and under the shade of Scots 
fir, birch and beech woods, until at last the rushes bordering the Black Pond 
were descried through the maze of tree trunks. A Red-Admiral butterfly crossed 
our path, a jay became for a moment visible before he disappeared in the wood, 
and on the Pond itself moorhens were observed. Among the botanical treasures 
were Hypericum elodes, bur Marigold, the two sundews, Drosera rotundifolia and 
D. intermedia, Angelica sylvestris, and that curious thread-like parasite, Cuscuta 
Epithymum. The open view of the Black Pond was enjoyed and photographed, 
and the party returned through the bracken-clad pine-woods to the village of 
Oxshott for tea. Matthew Hunt. 
FORTHCOMING- FIELD RAMBLES. 
September 3. — Marden Park. Trains from London Bridge (L.B.S.C.R.), 
2.55; Victoria, 2.30. Take cheap return tickets to Woldingham. Guide, Mrl 
Matthew Hunt. 
