And when, at last, I determined to set out, the Feast of St John was already at hand, so that I made haste once more across the hills for Winchester on my way to Old Sarum and Stonehenge, where I would see the sunrise on midsumme

Rocks scattered about,Stonehenge-like monoliths.

The blocks of "Sarsden" sandstonethose of which Stonehenge is builtand the "plum-pudding stones" which are sometimes found with them, have no kindred with the northern pebbles.

We had both seen Stonehenge this summer for the first time.'

You have all heard of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain.

Some of you may have heard of the great Druid temple at Abury in Wilts, which, were it not all but destroyed, would be even grander than Stonehenge.

He was much impressed with the "Minster" and gave the "guide to the Stones" (Stonehenge) two shillings.

[Illustration: STONEHENGE.

Some of the gaunt incongruities visible from near Stonehenge have, happily, already vanished and in this brief description they will be, as far as is possible, ignored.

Such phrases as "majestic temple of our far-off ancestors," "stupendous conception of a dead civilization" and the like, can only bring about a feeling of profound disappointment when Stonehenge is actually seen.

The appearance of Stonehenge has been likened to a herd of elephant browsing on the Plain.

The early aspect of Stonehenge was far more elaborate than as we see it to-day, and the avenues that led to the inner circles and the smaller and outer rings have to a large extent disappeared.

One of the sarsen stones is stained with copper oxide, and this fact has been taken to point to Stonehenge being erected somewhere in the Bronze Agethat is, not longer ago than

Pepys a short time after went "single to Stonehenge, over the Plain and some great hills even to fright us.

Other theories current about this time werethat it was a monument to four hundred British princes slain by Hengist (472); the grave of Queen Boadicea; or a Phoenician temple; even a Danish origin was ascribed to Stonehenge.

Perhaps the most curious fact connected with the literary history of Stonehenge is that it is not mentioned in the Roman itineraries or by Bede or any other Saxon writer.

"In my early days I frequently visited Stonehenge to make observations at sunrise as well as by starlight.

This was the observation of a Mr. Warltire, who delivered lectures on Stonehenge at Salisbury (1777), and who had drawn a meridian line on one of the stones.

"In my younger days I have visited Stonehenge by starlight, and found, on applying my sight from the top of the 6-foot pillars of the inner oval and looking at the high trilithons, I could mark the places of the planets and the stars in the heavens, so as to measure distances by the corners and angles of them....

[Illustration: STONEHENGE DETAIL.]

In 1918 Stonehenge, which hitherto had formed part of the Amesbury Abbey estate of Sir Cosmo Gordon Antrobus, was sold to Sir C.H. Chubb, who immediately presented it to the nation.

Avebury is undoubtedly older than Stonehenge and must belong to the true Neolithic period, whether the former does or not.

The purpose of all this intricate and elaborate work is a puzzling problem and, like the mystery of Stonehenge, will probably remain a secret to the end.

Southampton Southampton Water Southbourne South Newton South Petherton Southwell Spanish Armada Speen Spencer Stainsford Stair Hole Stalbridge Stanley, Dean Stanswood Bay Stanton, St. Gabriel Stapleford Stavordale Priory Stedcombe Steeple Langford Steepleton Iwerne Stephen Steventon Stillingfleet, Dean Stockbridge Stock Cross Stockton Stoke Stoke Farthing Stoke Wake Stonehenge Stonehouse, Sir Jas.

When the Tariff Reformer says that if Free Trade exists for another year St. Paul's Cathedral will be a ruin and Ludgate Hill as deserted as Stonehenge, he is also threatening.