AN AUTUMN DA V AT SELBORNE 
189 
On reaching the street I just went for a peep at the Well- 
head. I knew that the spring had been tapped somewhere 
behind for a water-supply to the village, but I did not notice 
any perceptible difference in the quantity coming from the 
Wellhead. 
I now hurriedly retraced my steps to the Plestor, passed 
through the churchyard or Litton, down the Lith, and on by the 
path that leads to the Priory farm. Here stood the old Priory, 
founded in 1232, dissolved in i486, after a chequered career of 
254 years. I always take this walk whenever I go to Selborne, 
from the churchyard down by one side of the brook to the 
Priory farm, and back by the other side and out into the village 
by the rough lane. A more lovely walk can hardly be imagined 
— a quiet secluded valley with sides clothed with wood and thicket 
and a brook running among pastures between. It is said this 
spot at Selborne was chosen for the Priory because “ the situa- 
tion was retired, with a stream running through it, sequestered 
from the world, among woods and meadows, and so far proper 
for a religious house.’’ No one who has been to Selborne can 
deny the truth of this. I was much pleased with the unusual 
but beautiful autumn tints of some of the maples on both sides 
of this valley : instead of the clear yellow they generally take, 
several had assumed a warm bronzy tint, approaching the 
beech. I had seen them vary, but never before to the same 
extent. The genus Acer (maples) with its numerous species, 
gives us more variety and beauty in its autumn tints than any 
other. Selborne has long been celebrated for its specimens of 
wych elm ; and there are also some good examples of the 
common elm. To see this tree in its most perfect autumn 
beauty one must watch the morning sun as it lifts the mist 
the surface of the trees, leaving them like clouds of brightest 
gold. 
The time had now all too quickly come to say good-bye to 
this fascinating spot. In no parish that I have visited is there 
more variety in hill and dale, wood, thicket, and open downs, 
cultivated land and pasture, lanes, footpaths, banks and hedges, 
brooks, springs, bog and heath, or in the soil, fauna and flora. 
I know of no other parish where there is the same freedom and 
convenience in rambling about as at Selborne. 
On my way I passed by Blackmoor, an outlying district of 
Selborne, with its beautiful church and churchyard, the gift of 
one of England’s most learned and kindest-hearted noblemen. 
He selected this half-barren and somewhat benighted spot to 
build his house, but before building his own home he built the 
church. The influence for good resulting from his munifi- 
cence has been incalculable. Many have had reason to bless 
the name of the late Lord Selborne. His church will have a 
longer and a more glorious record than the old Priory, because 
it has been built on a better foundation. 
Geo. Stanton. 
