JCVIiNAL  OF  lIOiaiCVLTVHE,  Fchra  vj  2;'. 
IR006  Hsbton  pm%  Miltsbive, 
IN  Wiltshire  there  is  no  name  more  familiar  or  more 
highly  respected  than  that  of  the  owner  of  Eood 
Ashton.  The  family  has  a  Parliamentary  history 
almost  unique,  for  it  has  been  said  that  for  500  years  there 
has  been  a  Parliamentary  representative  from  the  house  of 
Long  ;  but  there  is,  as  far  as  we  can  learn,  no  definite  data 
as  to  the  truth  of  such  assertion.  It  is,  however,  true  that 
at  a  period  dating  back  three  generations  there  were 
re'oicings  over  the  centenary  of  unbroken  membership  for 
the  county.  The  present  squire’s  grandfather,  to  whom  this 
honour  was  due,  was  a  great  farmer ;  an  edict  issued  by 
him  required  that  his  home  farm  should  be  a  model  one 
for  the  emulation  of  his  many  tenants,  and  to  this  day  his 
memory  as  a  typical  landlord  and  practical  farmer  is  much 
revered  by  those  who  had  the  privilege  of  his  acquaintance. 
It  is  said  that  as  a  compliment  to  the  long  connection  of 
the  family  name  with  Pailiamentary  woik  a  peerage  was  to 
have  been  given,  and  the  patent  was  even  signed  at  the 
death  of  the  present  Mr.  Long's  grandfather. 
The  older  portion  of  Rood  Ashton  dates  from  the  six¬ 
teenth  century,  and  is  of  Elizabethian  architecture.  During 
the  past  century  many  alterations  and  extensions  were 
carried  out,  this,  together  with  the  gardens,  stables,  and 
home  farm,  being  all  the  work  of  the  late  Walter  Long, 
Esq.,  who  at  that  time  employed  a  great  army  of  workmen. 
Further  renovation  was  conducted  by  the  succeeding  owner, 
and  the  pleasure  gioimd  remodelled  and  extended.  Much 
more  would  have  been  done  had  not  failing  health  and  an 
Rood  Ashton  House,  from  the  flower  garden. 
