KING’S ARMS, CHRISTCHURCH,
OR XCHURCH,
1842, Feb. 24.

The lower of the above descriptions of my present place of abode is the correct one, as I fearlessly assert on the authority of divers direction-posts on the roads leading to it (by the bye this supports my doctrine that x in Latin was not pronounced eks but khi, because the latter is the first letter of Christ, for which x is here traditionally put).  Finding this morning that Yolland (who called on me as soon as I had closed the letter to you) was perfectly inclined to go on with the tide observations at Southampton, and that his corporals of sappers were conducting them in the most exemplary manner, I determined on starting at once.  However we first went to look at the New Docks (mud up to the knees) and truly it is a very great work.  There is to be enclosed a good number of acres of water 22 feet deep:  one dock locked in, the other a tidal dock or basin with that depth at low water.  They are surrounded by brick walls eight feet thick at top, 10 or more at bottom; and all the parts that ever can be exposed are faced with granite.  The people reckon that this work when finished will attract a good deal of the London commerce, and I should not be surprised at it.  For it is very much easier for ships to get into Southampton than into London, and the railway carriage will make them almost one.  A very large steamer is lying in Southampton Water:  the Oriental, which goes to Alexandria.  The Lady Mary Wood, a large steamer for Lisbon and Gibraltar, was lying at the pier.  The said pier is a very pleasant place of promenade, the water and banks are so pretty, and there is so much liveliness of ships about it.  Well I started in a gig, in a swashing rain, which continued off and on for a good while.  Of the 21 miles, I should think that 15 were across the New Forest.  I do not much admire it.  As for Norman William’s destruction of houses and churches to make it hunting ground, that is utter nonsense which never could have been written by anybody that ever saw it:  but as to hunting, except his horses wore something like mud-pattens or snow-shoes, it is difficult to conceive it.  Almost the whole Forest is like a great sponge, water standing in every part.  In the part nearer to Xchurch forest trees, especially beeches, seem to grow well.  We stopped to bait at Lyndhurst, a small place high up in the Forest:  a good view, such as it is, from the churchyard.  The hills of the Isle of Wight occasionally in sight.  On approaching Xchurch the chalk cliffs of the west end of the Isle of Wight (leading to the Needles) were partly visible; and, as the sun was shining on them, they fairly blazed.  Xchurch is a small place with a magnificent-looking church (with lofty clerestory, double transept, &c., but with much irregularity) which I propose to visit to-morrow.  Also a ruin which looks like an abbey, but the people call it a castle.  There is a good deal of low land about