ENGLISH INNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 173, 24 July 1930, Page 6

ENGLISH INNS.

I read with much interest your, contributor "Cyrano's" article on Enghsh inns ,in Saturday's magazine section. It recalled an experience of mine own, which happened nearly a quarter of a century ago, when cycling through the Hardy country. • I had '.left Bournemouth one pleasant autumn morning and Had reached Wool, an old village on the borders of Dorsetshire. An old .and empty mansion attracted my attention, and entering the'house and ascending the' •staircase I noticed; at the top of the'stair on either hand, let into thcwaU, two panels showing almost life-size portraits of women of middle age of a date some 200 -years.ago. Hardy used these portraits in his description of Angel Clare and Tess coming home after their wedding in liis, story "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." Further' on Hardy's birthplace and Dorchester, itself were reached. The latter was the. scene of many of Hardy's novels.: But: all this leads to my reason'for writing. • A roadside alehouse, with-the name "The Pure - Drop Inn" attracted my attention, and si must needs stop and. have, a glass of cider. It was the sourest cider I have ever drunk, and I hope that when New Zealand adopts Lord Bledisloe's advice it will make a better article.-. • . • < 1 ' H.W.A.