Pagan Papers

The ‘Rudge’ is of course an exceptional instance; but indeed this pleasant personality in roads is not entirely fanciful. It exists as a characteristic of the old country road evolved out of the primitive prehistoric track developing according to the needs of the land it passes through and serves: with a language accordingly and a meaning of its own. Its special services are often told clearly enough; but much else too of the quiet story of the country-side: something of the old tale whereof you learn so little from the printed page. Each is instinct perhaps with a separate suggestion. Some are martial and historic and by your side the hurrying feet of the dead raise a ghostly dust. The name of yon town — with its Roman or Saxon suffix to British root — hints at much. Many a strong man wanting his vates sacer passed silently to Hades for that suffix to obtain. The little rise up yonder on the Downs that breaks their straight green line against the sky showed another sight when the sea of battle surged and beat on its trampled sides; and the Roman sore beset may have gazed down this very road for relief praying for night or the succouring legion.