Page:The New Forest - its history and its scenery.djvu/246

Rh the second earliest parish register in Hampshire, beginning one year before Cromwell's Act has been passed; showing, as was before noticed, that this part of the Forest was always the richest, and, consequently, the most civilized. In this register we find the following most interesting entry:—

"1654. Thomas Burges, the sonne of William Burges and Elizabeth Russel, the daughter of Elizabeth, the now wife of Stephen Newland, were asked three Sabbath dayes, in the Parish Church of Eling: sc: Apriel 16th, Apr 23rd, Apr 30th, and were marr: by Richard Ld Cromwell, May xxiid."

I need scarcely add that it was under the Protector that an Act of Parliament was passed in 1653, enabling any persons, after the due proclamation of the banns in the church or chapel, or in the market-place, on three market days, to be married by a simple affirmation before a magistrate; thus in a remarkable way nearly anticipating modern legislature. The Protector's son, at the date of this entry, was probably living at Hursley, about ten miles away to the north.

Going across to the other side of the Forest, we shall, at Ellingham, find, in the Churchwardens' Books, an entry in a different way quite as interesting. The leaf is, I am sorry to say, very much torn, and, towards the lower part, half of it is wanting. I give, however, the extract as it stands, indicating the missing passages by the breaks:— 228