CHAPTER IX.

The Selborne atmosphere--Unhealthy faces--Selborne Common--Character of scenery--Wheatham Hill--Hampshire village churches--Gilbert White's strictures--Churches big and little--The peasants' religious feeling--Charm of old village churches--Seeking Priors Dean--Privett church--Blackmoor church--Churchyards--Change in gravestones--Beauty of old gravestones--Red alga on gravestones--Yew trees in churchyards--British dragon-tree--Farringdon village and yew--Crowhurst yew--Hurstbourne Priors yew--How yew trees are injured.