THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE, ; 17. 
for years. These conflagrations, as they take place usually 
with a northeast or east wind, much annoy this village with 
their smoke, and often alarm the country; and, once in par- 
ticular, I remember that a gentleman, who lives beyond An- 
dover, coming to my house, when he got on the downs 
between that town and Winchester, at twenty-five miles’ dis- 
tance, was surprised much with smoke and a hot smell of fire; 
and concluded that Alresford was in flames; but, when he came 
to that town, he then had apprehensions for the next village, 
and so on to the end of his journey. 
On two of the most conspicuous eminences of this forest 
stand two arbors or bowers, made of the boughs of oak; the 
one called Waldon Lodge, the other Brimstone Lodge: these 
the keepers renew annually on the feast of St. Barnabas, taking 
_the old materials for a perquisite. The farm called Black- 
moor, in this parish, is obliged to find the posts and brush- 
wood for the former; while the farms at Greatham, in rotation, 
furnish for the latter; and are all enjoined to cut and deliver 
the materials at the spot. This custom I mention, because I 
look upon it to be of very remote antiquity. 
LETTER VIII. 
On the verge of the forest, as it is now circumscribed, are 
three considerable lakes, two in Oakhanger, of which I have 
nothing particular to say; and one called Bin’s, or Bean’s 
Pond, which is worthy the attention of a naturalist or a sports- 
‘man. For, being crowded at the upper end with willows, it 
affords such a safe and pleasing shelter to wild-ducks, teals, 
snipes, etc., that they breed there. In the winter this covert 
is also frequented by foxes, and sometimes by pheasants ; and 
the bogs produce many curious plants. 
