stretch to the north-east towards Wincanton. The tourist may prolong his walk to CADBURY (the hill-fort), 5 miles, partly for its CAMP, a Celtic construction of some extent, defended by four deep fosses and as many ramparts, enclosing an area of 20 acres; and partly for the view which it commands of the rich plains and misty heights of Somersetshire. A raised mound in the centre is known as "King Arthur's Palace," and a spring in the fourth fosse as "King Arthur's Well." From the relics and coins discovered here, it is evident that the Romans at one time occupied it. Camden supposes that at a later period King Arthur fought a battle with the Saxons in its vicinity, and the peasants to this day believe that the spirits of the great British hero and his knights haunt this "hallowed ground."] BRANCH ROUTE—SHERBORNE to DORCHESTER, A well-kept highway traverses the interesting country which lies between Sherborne and Dorchester. Just beyond Sherborne it crosses a range of hills; it then winds over an extensive plain, and again ascends the hills,-keeping along their ridge until it reaches Dorchester. Through the vale on our right the river Cerne runs forward to join the Frome, and beneath the hills on our left wanders the Trent (or Piddle) on its way to Wareham Harbour. Having crossed the Yeo, ascended and descended the hill slopes, and reached the many-rivered plain, we may notice on our right the rich tree-masses of LEWSTON PARK, while far away on our left lies BISHOP'S CAUNDLE, celebrated by Mr. Barnes the Dorsetshire poet for its "wold dun tow'r," and "shrubb'ry's leafy screen." The CHURCH is ancient, and not without a character of interest. On the left next rises upon our view, HOLNEST LODGE (W. Erle Drake, Esq.); on our right upon a branch of the Lidden, a pleasant rushy brook, is situated GLENVILLE WOOTTON (population, 328), formerly the manor of an ancient knightly race, and retaining much of that abundant leafiness to which it owes its Saxon affix. The Dales have a good house here. Passing through MIDDLEMARSH, we leave on the left another camp-crowned hill, the DUNGEON (Donjon), while to the south-east towers the commanding elevation of the HIGH STOY. We now abandon the plains and climb the higher ground at REVEL'S HILL, one of "the view-points" of Dorsetshire, overlooking a landscape which, to the north, is both varied and extensive. A little to the right lies MINTERNE PARVA (population 130), and MINTERNE HOUSE, the seat of Lord Digby, the grounds enlivened by the waters of the Cerne. We now ascend the GIANT'S HILL to examine the curious gigantic figure cut out upon the hill-side, a man, 180 feet in height, stretching forth his left hand, while in his right he balances a huge club. The tradition runs that it commemorates a giant who, after a gluttonous repast upon the sheep he found in Blackmoor, lay down here to enjoy a snug repose, but was discovered by the peasants, pinioned to the ground, and slain, his outline being described upon the turf for the wonder and delectation of posterity. Mr. Sydenham in his "Baal Durotrigis" considers it to be an early British monument. But a very similar effigy occurs at Wilmington Hill, in Sussex, and " as both figures occupy a slope on a chalky down, and both lie immediately opposite to a religious house," we think, with Mr. Lower, that they are rather "the works of medieval monks, though it is difficult to guess at the motive which could have prompted them to the execution of such quaint portraitures"-(Lower's Contributions to Literature). CERNE ABBAS (population, 1343; New Inn), derives its name from its position on the Cerne, which here winds through a gap in the chalk hills, and the ABBEY founded by Alwald in commemoration of his brother, St. Edmund the Martyr. St. Edmund was king of East Anglia, and defeated in a great battle at Thetford by the Danes (A.D. 870), who made him prisoner, bound him to a tree, and shot him to death with arrows. His name is retained in the Anglican Kalendar, and November 20th appropriated to him. The only remains of the Abbey are, the GATE-HOUSE, bearing the shields of the Earl of Cornwall and the Abbey, and the ABBEY BARN, still made use of as a store-house. CERNE CHURCH, Perpendicular, is dedicated to St. Mary, and was, perhaps, erected by the monks. It contains a few memorials, and the nave and chancel have some interesting details. Beyond the churchyard rises a small earthwork, probably of Celtic origin. Between Cerne Abbas and Dorchester there is nothing to detain the tourist, though from the hills occasional views are obtained of the fair woodlands and lowlands beneath, which, if seen in the rich rosy light of a setting. sun, assume a wondrous aspect of tender beauty. How great an influence upon the character of a landscape is exercised by colour! See the vale or the meadow in the pearly haze of morning, in the golden clearness of the noon, in the purple of the increasing twilight, and note how different an aspect it assumes, how different an impression it produces upon the heart! And it is just these things which the pilgrim a-foot should take especial note of; not only will their observation beguile the way and lessen the distance, but assist in storing the mind with the most precious knowledge, and in charming the fancy with an unfailing succession of new and delightful images. MAIN ROUTE RESUMED-SHERBORNE TO STALLBRIDGE. 66 At 2 miles (or thereabouts) beyond Sherborne, the great western road which we have adopted crosses into Somersetshire; that county having chosen to thrust into Dorsetshire a most impertinent and intrusive wedge, separating, to some extent, the groves of Sherborne Castle from those of Stallbridge Park. In this angle, or "cantle," is situated MILBORNE PORT (population, 1746. Inn: the King's Head), mile south of the Salisbury Railway, a manufacturing town which seems "to do" a business disproportionate to its size. This "PORT," or BURGH, on the mill-bourne" (burn, Scotticè) existed in Saxon times, and at a later period was of sufficient importance to send representatives to Parliament. It was seized upon by the Roundheads in 1645, and those ruthless iconoclasts did much mischief to the church, stealing the Bible from it, and injuring the stained glass windows; whereupon the townsmen seized pike and musket, and after a sharp skirmish, compelled the troopers to decamp from the town. The CHURCH is a large and stately Norman building, with later additions. It comprises a nave, chancel, north and south aisle, north and south transepts, and a stately embattled tower, time-worn and weather-beaten, rising from the centre. Remark the chancel-arch, the fine east window, and ancient front. Among the numerous memorials are some monuments to the Medlicotts, a family still of some repute in the neighbourhood. The TowN HALL is a most insignificant little hovel, but enriched with a Norman moulded arch. Half a mile beyond Milborne Port, we ascend Bullstake Hill and re-enter Dorsetshire to pass again into Somersetshire after another mile's ramble. VENN HOUSE (Sir William Medlicott) lies on our right, a red brick mansion, with two wings, built by Inigo Jones, environed in foliage, and brightened by the meandering Yeo. The view from the summit of the hill is extensive and varied. At 2 miles from Milborne we pause at HENSTRIDGE ASH, the meeting-point of four great roads; that on our right comes from Poole, through Blandford and Sturminster Newton, and indicates the general course of the projected Dorset Central Railway; on our left, from Bristol, through Shepton Mallet, Castle Cary, and Wincanton-have already traversed the great western road which runs from Exeter, through Chard, Honiton, and Yeoviland from this point proceeds via Shaftesbury, Salisbury, and Andover into London. Tolerable refreshment may here be obtained at the Virginia Inn, named in commemoration of Sir Walter Raleigh. It was at this "hostel" that the great adventurer (so runs the tradition) enjoyed the first pipe of tobacco smoked in England, when his servant, alarmed into a belief that his master was on fire, dashed over him a bowl of ale. And here we may digress to notice that this anecdote has been reported of other persons. Rich, in his Irish Hubbub (published in 1619), says, "I remember a pretty jest of tobacco which was this. A certain Welshman coming newly to London, and beholding one to take tobacco, never seeing the like before, and not knowing the manner of it, but perceiving him vent smoke so fast, and supposing his inward parts to be on fire, cried out, 'O Jhesu, Jhesu man, for the passion of Cod hold, for by Cod's splud ty snowt's on fire,' and having a bowle of beere in his hand, threw it at the other's face, to quench his smoking nose." (Fairholt's Tobacco, and its Associations.) The same "pretty jest" is told of Dick Tarleton. Sir Walter Raleigh, by the way, did not introduce "the pipe" into England. It was first made known by Mr. Ralph Lane, the first Governor of Virginia, on his return from that colony. STALLBRIDGE PARK, now converted into an extensive farm, belongs to the Marquis of Westminster, who carries out his agricultural operations with more science than is usual among Dorsetshire farmers. It was formerly the property of the Marquis of Anglesea. STALLBRIDGE (population, 1901), 2 miles right, is a market town of no great importance, but pleasantly situated on the outskirts of its "grey-wall'd park," and along the Blandford road. The projected Dorset Central Railway will pass a little to the east. The CHURCH is old and commodious. In the village street -a double line of homely cottages-stands a noticeable CROSS, 30 feet high, and adorned with four bas-reliefs, and figures of the Saviour, the Virgin, and St. John. From the hill here may be enjoyed a very rich and extensive prospect of the beautiful VALE OF BLACKMOOR, stretching far away into the dim blue heights, and revelling in the fantastic shadows of luxuriant foliage. ALFRED'S TOWER, at Stourhead, crowning the lofty hill of Kingsettle, 800 feet above the sea, is a conspicuous landmark. This triangular pile of brick is 150 feet high, and is designed to commemorate Alfred the Great, who, A.D. 879, "on this summit erected his standard against Danish invaders." It is about 20 miles from Stallbridge. Of certain beauties of the vale of Blackmoor, a Dorsetshire poet sings: "The primrwose in the sheäde do blow, The cowslip in the zun, The thyme upon the down do grow, "If you vrom Wimborne took your road, An' all the farmers' housen show'd Their daeters at the door; You'd cry to bachelors at hwome Here, come; 'ithin an hour You'll vind ten maidens to your mind, In Blackmwore by the Stour." BRANCH ROUTE-STALLBRIDGE TO BLANDFORD, 12 Miles. At 2 miles from Stallbridge we cross the pleasant river Lidden (from lyd, lud, water, and dene, a hollow). Nearly 2 miles to |