On mural monuments in south aisle :

I. "To the memory of John Barnard, esq., who died June 12, 1763, aged 58 years. And of Mary his wife, who died March 16, 1749, aged 38 years.'

Arms Argent, a bear rampant sable, impaling, guttè de sang, a lion rampant gules. Crest, a demi-bear erect sable.

2. "To the memory of Elizabeth Harris, daughter of Wm. and Jenny Harris of New-place near this Town, who died the 20th of April, 1798, in the 17th year of her age. [Inscription omitted].

"Also to the memory of Four Sons of the above-named William and Jenny Harris; viz. William, who died 25th of June, 1773, aged two years; Ward, an infant; Philip, died 17th of Feb., 1781, aged seven years; and John, died 28th of Feb., 1789, aged 10 years."

3. "Near this place lie interred the remains of Ann Boyes, the wife of Robert Boyes, of this Town; whose amiable conduct and steady perseverance in the uniform and faithful discharge of every religious, domestic, and social duty, made her still the more beloved the more she was known; and her death a loss the most afflicting to those who had the greatest experience of her endearing virtues. Having undergone a long and tedious illness with exemplary patience and Christian fortitude, and enjoyed the foretaste of approaching bliss in the contemplation of a well-spent life, she calmly resigned her soul to God, April 4, 1762, aged 44. Learn, Reader! Bless her memory, and follow her example."

On the walls of the church, which are of flint and plaster, are several dates: On the chancel, 1767; on the north aisle, 1766; on the south aisle, 1760; and on the tower, 1699. A very ancient crucifix of stone is worked into the west side of the tower.

An altar-tomb in the churchyard bears the following inscription (in capitals):

"Ici est le corps de Monsieur le Comte de Jourville, Capitaine des Vaisseaux de son Majesté très Chrétienne, Chevalier de l'Ordre Militaire de Saint Louis, mort à la ville d'Alresford, dans la trente septième année de son age, le neuf Octobre, mil sept cents cinquante-huit."

The register says, "A French prisoner buried, October 7, 1758." From a paper pinned in the register I transcribed an account of "Accidents which have happened in this Town by fire since about the year 1620. About the year aforesaid a fire happened at the Swan, which by report burnt down great part of the West Street. On the first of May, in the year 1678, a fire happened in the West Street again, which burnt down to the ground three houses and back buildings. And again, on the first May, in the year 1689, about nine o'clock in the morning, a fire broke out in the Soke; the season dry, and the N.E. wind blowing very hard, the same in about three hours burnt down and consumed to the ground the dwelling-houses of 117 families, with the Church and Market-house; the damage, by the oaths of the sufferers, amounted to the sum of £24,500 and upwards. And on the 30th of April, in the year 1736, a fire broke out in the West Street between nine and ten in the morning, which burnt the dwelling-houses of thirty families, with all the out-houses, barns, and

stables, to the number of eighty-six piles of buildings. Damage £5,000 and upwards, besides insurances."

Inscription over the door of the free school:

"SCHOLA Ex Fundatione HENRICI PERIN, Armig. Num'is ab eo legatis Extructa. A.D. 1698."

In the school there is a portrait of the founder, who was buried in Old Alresford churchyard. His epitaph is given below.

The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an unostentatious brick edifice, of a single pace and chancel. The date of its erection is perpetuated by the following inscription on the west side of the

ower:

"This Church was rebuilt, A.D. 1753.

The Tower, A.D. 1769.

The Bells cast, A.D. 1770.

John Hoadly, LL.D., Rector.
James Rodney, esq., and

Church

Mr. Henry Bullpett, wardens."

Within, on the north wall of the nave, is a superb mural monument of white and coloured marble, containing (under a pediment supporting a shield of arms and two urns) a bust of the deceased, with full-sized emblematic figures of Faith and Hope. A sarcophagus bears this inscription :

"Near this place lie deposited the remains of Mrs. Jane Rodney, daughter of the Hon. Charles Compton, and wife of George Bridges Rodney, esq., who was an honour to her family, and the delight of all that knew her. She died Jan. 29, 1757, aged 27, and left behind her three children in their infancy."

Arms: Or, three eagles displayed purpure, two and one; impaling, sable, a lion passant gardant, between three helmets argent.

On mural monuments against the south wall of the nave :

I. "In memory of Christopher Perin, gent., who departed this life, Nov. 27, 1705, aged 74. And also of Sarah, the wife of Christopher Perin, who departed this life, May 30, 1726, in the 88th year of her age. Interred in the vault near this place."

Arms Gules, three crescents argent; impaling chequy between four pellets.

a cross

2. "In memory of Jane, the wife of Reginald Edwards, and daughter of Christopher Perin, gent., who died July 19, 1728, aged 62. And also of Christopher Perin Edwards, son of the said Reginald and Jane Edwards, who died Aug. 16, 1720, aged 23.'

Arms: A lion rampant regardant; on a canton an eagle displayed; impaling three crescents, with a fourth for difference. Crest, a lion's head erased.

On the north wall of the chancel a plain oval tablet (having at the bottom, in excellent sculpture, a dog holding a bunch of keys, as emblems of a faithful housekeeper) is inscribed:

“This small but sincere memorial of his good friend and faithful_Servant, Mrs. Anne Davenport, spinster, was erected by Dr. John Hoadly, Rector of this Parish. She was the youngest daughter of the Rev. Mr. Basil Davenport, Vicar

of Broad Hinton in Wiltshire. Born July 24, 1705; died May 23, 1760; and was buried in the Church-yard near the South-east corner of this Chancel."

On the south wall of the chancel :

"H. S. E. Margareta, Johannis Needham Westmonast. armigeri, Filia. Gulielmi Needham, S. T. B. hujus Eccl'ia Rectoris Conjux. Utriq. suisq. omnibus longè meritoq. dilectissima. Obijt 24 Octob. Anno Dom. 1693, ætat. 24." Arms: Argent, a bend engrailed azure, between two bucks' heads, cabossed sable.

On a slab in the churchyard (in capitals):

"M. S. H. S. E. 'Henricus Perin armig'. Henrici itidem arm'ri filius natu maximus, arte medendi clarus apud suos & felix, munificentiâ certè apud Posteros immortalis, Alresfordiensis nimirum Scholæ Fundator. Obijt 10'mo Maij, A. D. 1697, æt. suæ 71."

Arms: Three crescents. Crest, a crescent.

On other tombs in the churchyard:

1. "Here lieth interred the body of Henry Perin, esq., who lived in the fear of God, and soe dyed the day of March, Anno Dom. 1672, in the 75 yeare

of his age." (Arms, as last.)

2. "Elizabeth Perin." (All but the name obliterated.)

3. "Here lieth Christopher Perin, late of Waiehouse, second son and heir of Henry Perin, sen., sometime of the same place in this Parish, esq. And of his second wife Sarah, daughter of Matthew Cruchfield, late ci izen of London. By her he had two sons, Henry and Christopher, and six daughters, three of which only survived him. He lived beloved by his friends, and honoured by his wife and children. An indulgent husband, a tender father, and a pious Christian. died Nov. 27, A.D. 1705, ætat. 74."

Arms: Same as on the monument in the church.

He

4. "In memory of Reginald Edwards, late Citizen of London, who married Jane, daughter of Christopher Perin, gent., by whom he had issue one son and one daughter, Christopher Perin Edwards, and Sarah Edwards. He departed this life the 30th day of July, Anno Dom. 1701, aged years. And also hereunder lieth the body of Christopher Perin Edwards, only son of the said R. E., who died July 11, 1720, in the twenty-second year of his age.'

Arms: Same as on the monument in the church.

5. "In memory of Dorothy, late wife of Thomas Bonham, gent., and daughter of Henry Perin, M.D., who died the 9th of June, 1744, aged 55. And also of Thomas Bonham, son of the said Thomas and Dorothy, who died the 20th of July, 1745, aged 29 years."

Arms Gules, a chevron between three cross crosslets fitchie. On an escutcheon of pretence, three crescents.

6. "H. S. E. Gulielmus Needham, S. T. B. hujus Ecclesiæ per quadraginta propè annos Rector indignus. Natus 2'do Februarij, A.D. MDCLV. Obijt 22'do Junij, A. D. MDCCXXVII. Spe Resurgendi.

"H. S. E. Catharina, ejusdem Gulimi uxor, quæ obijt 27'0 Augusti, A.D. 1731, ætatis suæ 81.

"The poor, the world, the heavens and the grave,
Her alms, her praise, her soul, and body have."

The Rev. Mr. North, son of the Bishop of Winchester, is the

VOL. XVII.

3

present Rector of Old Alresford, with Meidsted and New Alresford annexed.

Ovington.

The church consists of a nave and chancel, the latter only eleven feet, by ten feet within. At the west end is a wooden turret with four bells. On the left hand of the west door is a recess for holy water, and on the north side of the nave within, a low arch in the wall, nearly hid by pews, but no monument to be perceived under it. The font is ancient and capacious: a square basin, on an octagonal shaft, with a spreading base.

A mural monument in the chancel :

་

"In memory of the Rev. Mr. Barrett, forty-nine years Rector of this Parish; and Elizabeth his wife. He died July 8, 1744, aged 74 years. She died March 17, 1730, in her 60th year. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.'-This monument was erected by their youngest daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Mathews, of London."

There are also mural monuments in the nave for the following persons:

"William Yalden, esq., Recorder of the City of Winchester, Aug. 21, 1771, aged 53."

"Mr. James Yalden, who died at Tichborne, June 27, 1776, aged 67."

"Thomas Armstrong, esq., Jan. 22, 1791, aged 70, and Sarah his wife, Sept. 28, 1782, aged 56."

"John Knight, son of George and Ann Knight, of this Parish, Dec. 8., 1803, aged seven.'

The Rev. Mr. Richards held the living in 1807.

[1831, Part I., p. 211.]

Andover.

With this I send you a drawing (Fig. 9) of a silver ring, which has lately fallen under my inspection. It is in the possession of Dr. Littlehales of this place, and was found at Denebury Hill, near Andover.

My own observations lead me to think that it originally belonged to the Douglas family, from the representation of a heart crowned above and winged on the sides; yet in the usual figures of the heart so crowned, the wings are pointed upwards. This change, however, might have taken place to accommodate the ring by not taking up so much room. At the back of the ring are two hands united, and issuing from a rose on each side; and from which we may be led to think there may be allusion to the union of the two houses of York and Lancaster. The ring is of very rude workmanship, especially where the two ends are united within.

The opinion of your correspondents on the above will oblige

Yours, etc.,

JOHN LATHAM.

[1844, Part II., p. 305.]

The ancient church of St. Mary (some portion of which was of Anglo-Norman date) having become so dilapidated as to render further repair almost impracticable, a venerable clergyman (Dr. Goddard), connected with the town only by residence, has erected at his own expense a church nearly on the same site, commensurate with the population of the place. The body of the sacred edifice is now complete, and consists of a nave, aisles, and transept, the whole of exceedingly lofty and graceful proportions, and presenting a splendid example of the Early English style. The windows of the chancel are filled with coloured glass. The edifice is built of Caen stone and flint; the interior finished in a most chaste and beautiful mannerno gallery excrescences appearing to disturb the harmony of the slender shafts and pointed windows. It will accommodate about one thousand persons. No part of the tower is yet erected, but it will be constructed on the site of the remaining portion of the old church.

Basing and Herriard.

[1787, Part II., pp. 1056-1058.]

I have visited Basing Castle and Church, and from the latter have taken the following memorials, principally heraldical. It stands at a small distance eastward of the castle, and was probably built, or certainly very materially repaired and beautified, by the first Marquis of Winchester, during that part of his various life at which Popery prevailed; for at the west end, in a niche very high, is a figure which seemed to me that of the Virgin Mary. That this figure and the other external ornaments of the church should survive, as they have done, the devastation of the neighbouring siege, can only be accounted for by the fierceness with which the besiegers pursued the ruin of the castles, which so occupied their minds as to render them inattentive to everything else. Under the niche is a shield containing the following arms:

Quarterly of 8,

1. Poynings. Barry of six or and vert, a bend gules.

2. Gules, 2 lions passant guardant arg. Delamare.

3. Gules, 3 water bougets, arg. Roos.

4. Barry of six gules and ermine. Hussey.

5. Arg. 6 martlets gules.

6. Az. a fesse between 3 fleurs-de-lis. Arg.

7. Fretty, . . . a canton

8. Arg. on a chief gules, 2 mullets or. St. John.

Over all, in an escutcheon of pretence,

Powlett, Sable, 3 swords in pile, their points towards the base,

arg. pommels and hilts, or.