about the end of the twelfth century, there were in this abbey seventy monks and 120 converts. From its low situation, it was several times exposed to violent inundations. In 1203, so great a famine prevailed in this part of England, that the monks were forced to repair to other religious houses for a subsistence; but in the same year William de Bradwater began the foundation of the new church. In 1210, King John raised so severe a persecution against the monks of the Cistertian order, that the abbot of this house was obliged to withdraw secretly by night, the religious were dispersed, and the convent was plundered and left desolate. In 1278, the new church was finished, and consecrated by Nicholas de Ely, Bishop of Winchester, who treated most munificently all who resorted thither, and was, in 1280, interred in that edifice. The annals terminate with the year 1292. At the Dissolution the clear annual revenues of this establishment were estimated at 1741. 8s. 3d. and in 28 Henry VIII. the site of the abbey and all its possessions were granted to Sir William Fitzwilliam, treasurer of the household, and soon afterwards created Earl of Southampton. The estate has since passed through many hands, and was purchased by the present proprietor of the late Sir Charles Rich, Bart. who is said to have expended 40001. in improvements at this place.

The remains of this abbey, overgrown with venerable ivy, extend in detached portions over a surface of three or four acres. The elegance with which the buildings were finished renders it a matter of regret, that the greater part of them should have been pulled down for the materials by the Coldhams and Mr. Child, while proprietors of this estate. The ruins of the great church prove that it must have been a spacious and magnificent strueture; at present only part of the south aisle remains, with the corner-stone of the chancel, or tower. In the middle of the nave is a stone coffin, with black and yellow tesseræ, and farther eastward another, with a cross fleuri. Part of the refectory, dormitory, and cloisters, are also standing, as was in the last century a large handsome chapel, and the hall, with a range of low

low slender pillars in the middle. In the memory of persons yet living, the windows contained a considerable quantity of painted glass, which has been gradually destroyed, and suffered to go to decay. Stone coffins and other sepulchral remains have frequently been dug up near the ruins; and in 1731 were found, in a stone loculus, two leaden dishes soldered together, containing a human heart well preserved in pickle, supposed to be that of Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester, which, on his decease at Farnham, in 1238, was buried here.

In the vestry of the church of FRENSHAM hangs a huge copper cauldron, hammered out of one single piece. The ridiculous stories propagated by the vulgar respecting this cauldron have already been noticed; but antiquaries themselves have been puzzled to account for its origin, and some have supposed that it was brought hither from Waverley Abbey, after the Dissolution of religious houses. On this subject Salmon observes, that "the great cauldron which lay in the vestry beyond the memory of man was no more brought thither from Waverley, than, as report goes, by the fairies. It need not raise any man's wonder for what use it was, there having been many in England, till very lately, to be seen; as well as very large spits, which were given for the entertainment of the parish at the wedding of poor maids; so in some places a sum of money was charged on lands for them, and a house for them to dwell in for a year after marriage. If these utensils of hospitality, which drew the neighbourhood to contribute upon so laudable an occasion, had committed treason as the property of a convent, they had not been too heavy to be carried off." In the porch of the same church is deposited a stone coffin, removed thither from Waverley, which may have suggested the idea that the cauldron also came from that place.

On an extensive heath, about half a mile from the church, is a large piece of water, known by the name of Frensham Great Pond. It is accounted three miles in circumference, and much frequented by wild fowl during the winter season.

THE

* Salmon's Antiq. of Surrey.

THE HUNDred of WokING

lies on the west side of the county, and is bounded on the east by Emley Bridge and Copthorn; on the south by Godalming and Blackheath; on the west by the counties of Berkshire and Hampshire, and on the north by the hundred of Chertsey.

The lordship of this hundred was granted 18 James I. with that of Blackheath, to Sir Edward Zouch, and was transmitted through the same hands to Earl Onslow, the present lord. It belongs to the deanery of Stoke, and contains seventeen parishes: Ash, East Clandon, West Clandon, Guildford, East Horsley, West Horsley, Merrow, Ockham, Pirbright, Ripley, Send, Stoke, Wanborough, Windlesham, Wisley, Woking, and Worplesdon.

Guildford,

the county town of Surrey, is large, well built, and agreeably situated on the side of a considerable chalk hill, on the east bank of the Wey, thirty miles distant from London. In its present state this may justly be considered one of the best inland towns of its size in the kingdom. It consists principally of one capital street, measuring something more than three furlongs; the spaciousness of which, with the declivity of its situation, exhibits a very striking appearance, particularly to strangers. In 1801, it contained 464 houses, and 2634 inhabitants. This place gives the title of Earl to the noble family of North.

By which of our ancient kings the privileges of a corporation were first conferred upon this town cannot now be determined. It is, therefore, a corporation by prescription, and is considered as such in the earliest of its written charters, which is that of Henry III. A. D. 1256. The privileges granted by this instrument have been confirmed and extended by many succeeding sovereigns. The town is governed by a mayor, recorder, seven magistrates, and a number of bailiffs which is indeterminate, but seldom or