Ebook Salisbury Plain

Besides depending upon the classic authority of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, and the topographical and biographical writings of our earlier Wiltshire antiquary, the only and incomparable John Aubrey, I have drawn freely for information upon the Magazine of the Wiltshire Archaeological Society, and upon Wiltshire Notes and Queries. I am especially indebted to Mr C. E. Ponting's Notes in the former upon the churches in this neighbourhood, and to Mr J. U. Powell's upon the history and folk-lore of South West Wilts both in the Wilts. Arch. Mag. and in the Journal of the Folk-Lore Society. On Salisbury and the Cathedral there are many books; among the more recent writings on special points I may mention those of the Rev. C. Wordsworth, Mr Malden, and Mr C. Haskins.

I have hardly touched upon the fact - unhappy from all except, perhaps, a practical point of view - that the eastern part of the Plain has been adopted of late years as a military training ground, but it cannot be ignored. There is less change, however, than might be thought. The landscape is so large and open that the camps scattered here and there from April to September — and even a permanent settlement, such as Bulford Camp - are soon lost and forgotten in its immensity. A fold in the downs, which looks from a distance a mere wrinkle in the surface, can hide a whole army corps from sight.