s will extend
the usefulness of our paper in proportion as they increase its
circulation."

* * * * * {82}

MONMOUTH'S ASH.

_Letter from the Earl of Shaftesburg accompanying a short "History of
Monmouth Close," formerly printed by his Lordship for the information of
persons visiting that spot._

The whole of Woodlands now belongs to me. The greater part of it was
bought by my late brother soon after he came of age.

I knew nothing of Monmouth Close till the year 1787, when I was shooting
on Horton Heath; the gamekeeper advised me to try for game in the
inclosures called Shag's Heath, and took me to see Monmouth Close and
the famous ash tree there.

I then anxiously inquired of the inhabitants of the neighbouring houses
respecting the traditions concerning Monmouth Close and the celebrated
ash tree, and what I then learnt I have printed for the information of
any person who may visit that spot.

What I have since learnt convinces me that the Duke was not going to
Christchurch. He was on his way to Bournemouth, where he expected to
find a vessel. Monmouth Close is in the direct line from Woodyates to
Bournemouth.

About sixty years ago there was hardly a house there. It was the leading
place of all the smugglers of this neighborhood.

SHAFTESBURY.

St. Giles's House, Nov. 27. 1849.

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH CLOSE.

"The small inclosure which has been known by the name of MONMOUTH CLOSE
ever since the capture of the Duke of Monmouth there, in July, 1685, is
one of a cluster of small inclosures, five in number, which stood in the
middle of Shag's Heath, and were called 'The Island.' They are in the
parish of Woodlands.

"The tradition of the neighbourhood is this: viz. That after the defeat
of the Duke of Monmouth at Sedgemoor, near Bridgewater, he rode,
accompanied by Lord Grey, to Woodyates, where they quitted their horses;
and the Duke having changed clothes with a peasant, endeavoured to make
his way across the country to Christchurch. Being closely pursued, he
made for the Island, and concealed himself in a ditch which was
overgrown with fern and underwood. When his pursuers came up, an old
woman gave information of his being in the Island, and of her having
seen him filling his pocket with peas. The Island was immediately
surrounded by soldiers, who passed the night there, and threatened to
fire the neighbouring cotts. As they were going away, one of them espied
the skir