heath, etc., is consumed, young will sprout up, and afford much
tender browse for cattle; but, where there is large old fume, the
fire, following the roots, consumes the very ground; so that for
hundreds of acres nothing is to be seen but smother and desolation,
the whole circuit round looking like the cinders of a volcano; and
the soil being quite exhausted, no traces of vegetation are to be
found for years. These conflagrations, as they take place usually
with a north-east or east wind, much annoy this village with their
smoke, and often alarm the country; and, once in particular, I
remember that a gentleman, who lives beyond Andover, coming to
my house, when he got on the downs between that town and
Winchester, at twenty-five miles distance, 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
arbours or bowers, made of the boughs of oaks; 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 Blackmoor, 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
To Thomas Pennant, Esquire