SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
159 
the reverend gentleman mentioned lhat White had measured it 100 years ago, 
that it has increased two feel in girth since then, so that, though Professor Bell 
estimated its age as some 1,200 years — co-eval, that is, with the Saxon church — 
it was one of the most vigorous old trees in England. The Vicar expressed the 
opinion lhat the church doors were as old as the doorway, the ironwork being 
particularly good. The font also, although it bears no moulding or carving by 
which its dale can be fixed, is very ancient, belonging probably to the original 
church. An antiquarian, whose opinion was worth having, had said that the 
orientation of the church suggested that it was Saxon, and some had thought the 
squareness of the tower to indicate the same date. The nave, however, is 
Transitional Norman of about 1150. Church and churchyard being on limestone, 
every grave that is dug necessitates pickaxe and crowbar. Attention was directed 
to tne various monuments of the White family, and especially to the picture 
behind the altar given by Benjamin White just after his brother’s death. An 
expert, who had recently examined it, pronounced it a Dutch work cf about 1525, 
and considered it in need of restoration. This would cost from ,£30 to ^40, more 
than Selborne could afford, and the Vicar suggested that some Members of the 
Society might be willing to assist in raising that sum. The party next examined 
the south chancel, formerly divided from the nave by an oak screen, and believed 
by Dr. Bell to have been the chapel of the Knights Templars. Two stone coffins 
of Templars were found under its floor, the skeleton in one of them having a leg- 
bone which had been broken and very badly set. The Vicar also produced one 
of the church registers containing Gilbert White’s autographs during his curacies 
of the parish. 
After lunch at the Queen’s Arms, as the rain continued, the programme had to 
be modified ; but, under the guidance of Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, the party visited 
the garden of the Wakes. '1 he house is at present in the hands of the builders, 
and much regret was expressed that in his alterations the new owner has removed 
one of the original windows of Gilbert White's time. Some of the party attempted 
to scale the Hanger by the Zigzag, but the heavy rain-clouds obscured the view ; 
and about 6 p.m., after tea at the Queen’s Arms, the Members started on their 
return in bitter cold, though the rain had then ceased. 
June 20. In spite of the lack of promise in the weather eight members of the 
Held Club met at Horsley. Following the footpath to West Horsley some fine 
specimens of cow- wheat ( Melawpyrum pralense) were gathered, then passing 
through the picturesque village where some of the cottages were duly photo- 
graphed by one of the party, the southward road was followed between hedges 
interwoven with convolvulus, traveller’s joy ( Clematis Vilalba), wild hop and 
black bryony (Tamils communis). Dogwood ( Cornus sanguined) was plentiful 
and with its leaves already turning red, lent a pleasant diver-ity of colour to the 
foliage. Several specimens of the wayfaring tree ( Viburnum Lantana ) were seen, 
showing both flower and fruit. On a bracken-clad heath, foxgloves grew in great 
profusion and some fine specimens were gathered, one plant being over five feet 
high. Among other floral favourites found may be mentioned, purple fumitory 
(Tumaria officinalis), campions both white and red, blue milkwort ( Polygala 
vulgaris), and the sweet-scented wild thyme. Birds also were plentiful, 
skylarks, thrushes, blackbirds and linnets being the chief performers, while 
the garden warbler, yellow-hammer, chifchaff, and white-throats, both the lesser 
and greater, also lent their ai l, and the nightingale was heard for a short time. 
Large flocks of turtle-doves were seen and many interesting bird-nests examined, 
but, of course, left unmolested. One in particular, built by a jenny wren, was 
much admired for its dainty workmanship and for the clever way in which it was 
hidden in the forking branches of a low bush. Of trees some fine white beams 
(Pyrus Ana) were seen, one grand old yew attracted attention, and a grove of 
beech trees called for notice, one tree being already covered with mast. The sun 
broke through the clouds as the party wound along the crest of the Downs above 
Shere and Albury, and the view, the finest to be seen anywhere within such easy 
reach of London, spread before the eyes of the Ramblers in all its matchless 
beauty. After this all were ready for tea, followed by a walk to Clandon, from 
which station the return to town was made. The whole ramble covered some 
eleven miles, but led through such diversely beautiful scenery that none thought 
it too far. 
