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THE

YOUTHS' MAGAZINE;

OR,

EVANGELICAL MISCELLANY.

JUNE, 1852.

STONY CROSS.

was

STONY Cross, in the New Forest, is supposed to have been the place of William Rufus's death. There has been much controversy on the details of this catastrophe; but the following conclusions, given in the "Pictorial History of England," appear to be just: "that the King was shot by an arrow in the New Forest, that his body abandoned and then hastily interred, are facts perfectly well authenticated; but some doubts may be entertained as to the precise circumstances attending his death, notwithstanding their being minutely related by writers who were living at the time, or who flourished in the course of the following century. Sir Walter Tyrrel afterwards swore, in France, that he did not shoot the arrow; but he was, probably, anxious to relieve himself frem the odium of killing a King, even by accident. It is quite possible, indeed, that the event did not arise from chance, and that Tyrrel had no part in it. The remorseless ambition of Henry might have had recourse to murder, or the avenging shaft might have been sped by the desperate hand of some Englishman, tempted by a favourable opportunity and the traditions of the place. But the most charitable construction is, that the party were intoxicated

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with the wine they had drunk at Malwood-Keep, and that, in the confusion consequent on drunkenness, the King was hit by a random arrow.”

In that part of the Forest near Stony Cross, at a short distance from Castle Malwood, formerly stood an oak which tradition affirmed was the tree against which the arrow glanced that caused the death of Rufus. In Leland's time there was a chapel standing near the spot; "most probably (says Howitt) built by some of King William's descendants, to pray for his soul; it being the general opinion of the time, that the divine judgment for his cruelties in the Forest had fallen upon him here more expressly, because he had actually destroyed a church. No trace of such a thing is now visible, and, indeed, it is one of the singularities of this spot, that so little of the destroyed villages, churches, &c., is to be discovered."

Charles II. directed the tree to be encircled by a paling; it has disappeared, but the spot whereon the tree grew is marked by a triangular stone, about 5 feet high, erected by Lord Deleware, upwards of a century ago. The stone has since been faced with an iron casting of the following inscription upon the three sides :—

Here stood the oak-tree on which an arrow, shot by Sir Walter Tyrrel, at a stag, glanced and struck King William II., surnamed Rufus, on the breast; of which stroke he instantly died, on the 2nd of August, 1100.

King William II., surnamed Rufus, being slain, as before related, was laid in a cart belonging to one Purkess, and drawn from hence to Winchester, and buried in the cathedral church of that city.

That where an event so memorable had happened might not hereafter be unknown, this stone was set up by John Lord Delaware, who had seen the tree growing in this place, anno 1745.

Stony Cross is a favourite spot for pic-nic parties in the summer; and we agree with William Howitt, in thinking there to be a great charm in visiting a spot marked by a singular historical event 700 years ago, and finding it so similar in all its present features. It lies seven miles from

Ringwood, on a wide slope among the woods. From the road above, splendid views over the country present themselves: not far off is a capital inn, and below are a few scattered cottages, standing amid their orchards-a picture of forest simplicity and peace.

We have not space for the traditional gossip of the locality, but must add that at Minstead, not many years since, lived Purkess, a charcoal-burner, one of whose ancestors is reported to have carried the body of Rufus to his own cottage, before he conveyed it to Winchester in his cart.-Illustrated News.

A DRIVE THROUGH A CROWD.

THE streets were muddy, though gleams of spring sunshine shed an occasional glow of cheerfulness over the multitudes thronging every avenue of our great metropolis. Vehicles of all sorts and sizes, from my Lord Mayor's state coach to the fish-woman's wheelbarrow, rolled in unceasing tide through one of its main thoroughfares, when a physician and his niece started off on the morning's round of professional visitation.

Dr. C. was in extensive practice, and when summoned to some distance, enjoyed to lay aside the encumbrances of celebrity, and drive his single horse without the fuss of coachmen and footmen and all corresponding paraphernalia.

On these occasions, happy was the young guest he invited to accompany him, and play the groom by holding the reins of his quiet steed, while dozing at the patient's door; for it was confidently averred that the animals slept then, to make up for those unfortunate nights on which they were doomed to draw their owner to some chamber of suffering, when more favored brutes were indulging in uninterrupted repose. Be this as it may, the doctor and his niece were now wide awake, and ready to draw pleasure and instruction from every incident which might occur. There was a keen wind, and heavy clouds drifting athwart the sky threatened rain; but well clothed, and well armed with umbrellas, and macintoshes, they set forth rejoicing in their prudent precautions for wayfarer's troubles.

It was, however, no easy matter to make progress, for on turning out of the side streets towards the principal outlet from town, they found the passage over the bridge almost blocked up by innumerable omnibuses, carts, wagons, chaises, cabs, and horses, all contending for precedence.

"Had we not better go some other way, uncle ?" enquired Alice, “there seems no way out here ?”

"How can we go back, my dear?" replied Dr. C., glancing over his shoulder, and as Alice followed the direction of his eye, she perceived that return was utterly hopeless.

"What shall we do, uncle?" she exclaimed in a voice of alarm.

"Persevere that is the wisest plan in most difficulties," answered Dr. C. "Indeed, they are often more formidable in prospect than in reality.”

"I think we have real difficulties here, uncle, for we cannot go on without running over some of these people, or being upset by their carts."

"I am not prepared for quite such extreme measures," said Dr. C. laughing, "we will first try the result of a little patience, and wait a few minutes till the head-carriage of this long procession moves on, and we shall follow in our turn."

"Even then, uncle, I fear we shall not proceed very fast, for only see what numbers are coming from the streets on either side!"

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True, but as they are all moving too, our relative positions are continually changing, and by the time we meet, there may be space enough to prevent our incommoding each other. You are rather prone to distress yourself about what may occur; but remember, we are promised help according to our need, and while enjoying the guidance and protection of Almighty care, step by step, as we plod on in our prescribed path, we should pray to be delivered from those fears which not only depress, but disgrace the faithful Christian; and be assured such prayers will be abundantly answered."

Alice admired her uncle's philosophy, but felt rather doubtful of its practical results, though she had too much confidence in his judgment and experience to express her doubts, so she amused herself by silently watching the dexterity with which

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