THE BLOWING STONE IN BERKSHIRE.

North Otago Times, Volume III, Issue 52, 16 February 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE BLOWING STONE IN BERKSHIRE.

This is a famous piece of antiquity, and lies to the left of the road, at the foot of a way leading up to the downs; so I contrived to pass it unnoticed, and walked on into the village, almost a mile beyond. However, this caused me no regret, for 1 encountered a most intelligent and obese old gentleman, full of information and facetiousness, landlord of the only public-house in Kingston, Lisle, and, moreovjr, a baker, a grocer, and a blacksmith. His home-brewed ale was excellent ; and as I sat in his court yard, coatles3 and waiscoatless, with a flagon thereof on an empty cask beside me, I experienced that indescribable delight only to be obtained by rest after active exercise. After a while I went back to the blowing stone. This curiosity is about three feet high, and stands beneath an elm tree in front of a .wayside inn, which appears to have been formed by throwing three cottages into one. The stone — a rough amorphous mass— is full of holes ; in one of these if j-ou blow, a sound is produced which may be heard many miles away. A piece of wood, secured by a padlock, is placed over the hole to prevent mischief; and so little demand had there been for this old-fangled music, that I found the key of the padlock was lost. Fortunately, among the drinkers of ale under the elm tree that sultry July morning there were a couple of blacksmiths out of work, who had been to the enrious occupation of selling stationery and buttons ; and one of these produced from his pocket instruments which very soon sundered the chain ; I could never make music on a wind instrument ; like Themistocles I cannot even play a flute ; and utterly failed to produce any sound from the Blowing-stone. But the two blacksmiths and a couple of waggoners who were staying to bait their horaes, produced a decided effect. "When strong lungs are brought to bear upon it, the sound of the blowing-stone is very like the bellowing of an infuriated bull. — Temple Bar.