.:;'• ! STORY MORLEY. ?ST3R * 11 8» \*t f • .. . . s . Class -n A^Q Rnnk MR &•>, H.Adlard t^Tt-^s ^^ ^e^^^-y-. THE HISTORY OF M OR LEY, IN THE WEST l:ri»l\<: 01 VORKSHIRE INCLUDING A PARTICULAR ICC01 \| OF [TS OLD CHAPEL XO KIM SOX s< IATOH ERD '■ And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers : ana there arose anothei iteration afte that knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for [srael." Jo in \ Ji 'The Republican party in Ei. gland dates its origin from the early campaigns of the i nil \\ ;ir. and did Dot be come wholly extinct till the Revolution in L688; but as a party, having an Important Influence In public their extinction may be referred to the time of the Restoration; their indication! ol life afterwards, were feeble and fitful, like the final flashes and struggles <>f an expiring flame. SECO \ D !•: Dl T CO \ MORLE1 S. STEAD, PRINTER B1 STEAM POWER, "OBSERVER OR COMMERCIA1 11:111 J ! i s".: ; ".: /."":"•:! :"":"*: • 1 3~7 Co^ ■^ DEDICATION TO MY FAMILY My dear Children, There is no delusion more common amongst men than the supposition that the events of past times, or such as themselves have witnessed, will be of little m< ment to their descendants, nor is there any delusion more provoking; for, it* there be one thing about which a more than ordinary curiosity is generally felt, it is respecting onr ancestors, and especially such of them as have cut a conspicuous figure in the mosl interesting period of* our annals. Judge, then, of my regret at being left in the dark as to innumerable circumstances which onr forefathers might have communicated, without or trouble to themselves, and which would have enabled me to present you with a well-connected narrative. Had the particulars alluded to transpired in an age of litera- ture, like the present, when periodical Works of every kind arc abundant, much of what is lost to me might have been recovered; but, falling out otherwise, it happens that I can dedicate to you little more than a few scraps of our village history. The great er'.*or of the seventeenth century alas ! has been that of succeeding time.-. The men of those days appear to have attached far more importance to matters of cpinion, of speculation, and of fancy, than to matters of fact. Instead of communi- cating to us those particulars respecting their forefathers, themselves, their neighbours, and the state of society within their townships which would have been perused by future generations, they have left us little more than their thoughts upon polemical Bubjects, or metaphysical dissertations of some other kind. These remarks you will gee illustrated, in part, in the present Work, and the Writings of the Old Pastors of Biorley. They seem to have fancied that their theology — their classical quotations— their church histories or sermons, would be read by posterity, and perhaps admired; and it does QOl appear to have occurred to them that this posterity would be competent to reason. t<» admonish, or to compile, quite as well, if not better than themselves. How mortifying " Had they only given us a few papers upon the Civil War — the share that their neigh boms had in this memorable contest— the events which they witnessed nay, even the village g<>s>ip and prattle of the times, it would not have sunk into oblivion, <>i mouldered upon dusty shelves like their controversial divinity. Let us not judge, however, too harshly of our forefathers. Their delusion Menu ingrafted on human nature.— The press still groans under its load of the- romances, poetry, politics, and other speculative, hortatory, fanciful, or disputations matter of every kind.— and from what the Booksellers tell me. I infer that the public IV. appetite has the least relish for historical, antiquarian, or philosophical realities. My only comment on this is, that as to yourselves at least, 1 hope you will sometime appreciate the value of conjecture as opposed to evidence — of fictions to facts — of the illusions of fancy to the dictates of reason— of bewildering fallacies to instructive truths— between that which displays the craft and device of man, and that which bears the impress of the Deity. For the public indifference to topographical books, some apology beyond what is con- tained in my \ reface may be offered. They arc not made (to use an expression more intelligible than elegant) -readable'' books— they seldom contain much original matter — there are no links to connect the different passages, so that the whole is like patchwork — the curiosities of literature arc seldom illustrated — the cold and lifeless impersonal form of address is invariably adhered to; but the worst of all is, that their authors (as in other works) frequently clothe their thoughts in a quaint or affected — a circumlocutory, metaphysical, or inflated phraseology. •■ Histories.'" we are told by the great Lord Bacon, " make men wise." This is more than can be said of some studies which, when carried too far, operate only to make men stupid, conceited, and pedantic — to exclude philosophy — to stifle eloquence, and obstruct science. On the contrary, a knowledge of history, especially of our own country, enlarges and enriches the mind beyond what is commonly believed, and is indispensably necessary to every Gentleman. But history, to be read with profit, should be read with sound discretion, for the far greatest part of that which is so called, is mere romance, or something worse. Jt is your good fortune, my children, to be born in a very different period, as respects education, from what I have been. Look even at the Juvenile Libraries, at the Children's Books which arc now seen, and compare them with such as existed only forty years ago, when talcs chiefly of giants, fairies, robbers, or magicians, were invented for the amusement of youth. Think on the pains which arc now taken to disseminate useful knowledge amongst the middle and lower classes of the communitv, and the facilities with which, under an improved mode of instruction, they may acquire it : and then reflect upon our old Grammar Schools, about which I will leave you some curious memoirs. No doubt you will wonder at the support given to such establish- ments, as I used to do at the preference given by our Kings of the seventeenth century, to the Catholic religion. A little knowledge will dispel the mystery in both instances, ;md discover to you how much knavery may often lie found lurking under specious appearances. To return again to the subject of my Book, you will find it, as 1 hope, both instructive and amusing. Possessed of information and means of information respecting these parts beyond, perhaps, any other person; having, from my childhood, been inquisitive as respecting antiquities, and having leisure for the gratification not only of myself but my posterity; whal could 1 devise, as a present, more acceptable than this History? What subjeel could J have chosen so likely to interest our children's children, as an accounl of their forefathers ' Such as my Book is, to you my children, as objects of my chief regard, I dedicate it, in the hope that it may induce you to peruse my authorities. Should you thus acquire a taste like mine, happy indeed will it be for yourselves, and great my reward — you will then be often keeping- the best company — you will hold converse with the dead as well as the living - — you will gather from the experience of ages — you will have associates whom you can take up or discard without ceremony or trouble — who will draw you into few embarrassments, and but very little expense. Through the medium of this my Book then, I would introduce you to my noiseless, unobstrusivc, harmless, and diverting companions; and in doing so, remember, I give you one assurance, which is, that the more you cultivate their acquaintance, and the less you depend for pleasure upon your fellow mortals, the more likely you will be to escape troubles which are common to people who have no resources within iherr< That it may please Him who is the disposer of all events and who governs futurity, to lead you into all useful, all important truth and knowledge — that as you advance in stature, you may grow in true wisdom and in his favour, is the earnest prayer of Your affectionate Parent. THE AUTHOR. P RE K AC E- Tin: History ol the Old Chapel, al Morley, standsso intimately connected with the times of the Commonwealth of England — the Earl of Sussex, its Patron in 1650, was so dis- tinguished a character, and some of the per- sons to whom he conveyed the Chapel property, in trust, were so famous in our neighbourhood, thai M would be unpardonable in me to present the public with a superficial and uncircumstantial narrative. I must, how- ever, do so if not allowed the introduction of such matter as will be found in the first Forty- six pages of my Work; without which. indeed, in my own estimation, it would be of little value. Were this part omitted, what could a person know about our Chapel Lease? how it was obtained? what was the con- nexion between the Lessor and Lessees? what were their principles and views? and what occasioned the events which are sub- sequently disclosed. Aspiring to the honour of having my Book read by various classes, and not regarded as a mere Topographical Work, to be taken up like a dictionary. 1 have endeavoured to make it connected and entertaining. .My topo- graphical materials, it must be owned, are defective; but were they ever so ample it would little suit my own taste, or the reader's perhaps, to have the volume filled with matter of so dry and unedifying a nature. I have jusl said that my materials are defective — bul if the reader should deem that kind of mallei- appropriate with which com- piler form I heir ponderous volumes, they arc then abundant ami easily obtained ; and. should I ever !><• reduced to ask charity or solicit subscriptions, ;i new edition of my Book may ap{>ear upon i he modem plan ; that is lo say, by way <>|' hail, (here shall he an ensnaring iiil<- |>age and capital engraving — line paper and type — margins so com- modious, that in some pages scarce ten lines shall appear, and iii none twenty — veiy cor- rect pedigrees, (of course) aboul a- entertain- in-' as those of •• Flying Childers," and ■•Eclipse.'* or the celebrated bull, ••Comet '" — long extracts from registers, of births, baptisms, and burials — copies of inscriptions on gravestones and communion plate — : accounts of paupers and village affairs — of subscribers to charities, and eveiy-day con- cerns; with a copious Index to the whole. To tell my mind of topographical hooks in the general, (candidly speaking) nine out ol ten of them remind me of the razors sold t<» the countryman, by the London sharper, as humourously described by Peter Pindar: — '• Friend, quoth the razor man, I'm not a knave— " As for the razors that you've bought, " Upon my soul I never thought "' That they would shave. "Not think they'd shave, quoth Hodge, with wond'ring eyes " And voice, not much unlike an Indian yell ; " What were they nw.de for then, you rogue, he cries ? " ; Made ' quoth the fellow with a smile, ' to selV Considered in any view 1 have no reason to be ashamed of this production ol my leisure hours. It is "made" neither for the purpose of selling, or of shaving — of pilfering from the pocket of any one, or of appropriating to myself his literary plumes. Should its edge appear loo keen in certain parts, it is truth alone and matter of fact which makes it so. By people who arc unacquainted with local circumstances, and I he source's from which pari of my information is derived, it may. al lirsi sight, be thought singular thai I should make mention of Cromwell and (he Common- wealth limes so particularly, as will hereafter he seen ; hul their wonder will cease upon a perusal of this Book throughout. The share which our old townsmen had in the battles of the Civil War — the distinction which, in common with their neighbours, I hey gained i herefrom — their bravery, their patriotism, \ II l.iii above all, their devotion to Cromwell, connects him most closely with this History, and (in my opinion at least) redounds to their immortal honour. So apology need, there- fore, be expected from me for an introduction which is in m only deemed necessary bul ornamental to my Book. My object, in short, in writing' this Book, was to furnish information which will be interesting and necessary to most of my readers, and to compress it within the shortest compass. In pursuance of my plan. 1 have in the first forty-six pages, introduced that matter which 1 deem important for the healing which it has upon the whole Work. To those who know little or nothing about our National History. I fear it will be rather discouraging; but to such persons 1 do not address myself. My Book is for "bookish" people, or such as are likely to become so; but especially, for my family and neighbours who may wish to know something of the principles of their forefathers. But while I am desirous to afford the reader every information in my power, I am quite unconcerned about his opinions. I lay before him facts and authorities, curiosities in literature, illustrations, reasonings, and proofs; bul uol the twentieth part of what 1 could tell him upon some subjects. As to opinions, i he reader is perfectly welcome to his own. especially if honestly acquired, and founded on knowledge; and all 1 ask of him is a lorresponding sentiment. A.s to Mi.- jtyle of this Work u inai be sufficient in observe, thai it ap|>ears to me to be thai which is mosi ju licions. \\f naturally more attentive to thai which is addressed fo us. than t i thai which reaches us as mere unpointed observation; and heno the impersonal form of address must be alwa\ - less forcible, if nol less clear than is the per- sonal. 1 conclude these remarks by an extracl from a Work of uncommon beauty, a^ the last sentence is peculiarly appropriate \<> myself, in m\ family residence. •• Let no man.*' Bays the author, "despise the oi*acles of hooks. A hook" is a dead man — a BOl1 ol mummy, enibowelled, and embalmed, hut that once had flesh, and motion, ami a boundless variety of determinations, and of actions. I am glad I can. even upon these terms, con- verse with the dead, with the wise and the g I of revolving centuries. Without books 1 should know little of the volume of nature — I should pass the scanty years of my exist- ence ;i mere novice. The life of a -nigle man is too short to enable him to penetrate beyond i he surface of things. The furniture of my shelf constitutes an elaborate and in- valuable commentary, bul the objects beyond my windows, ami tlie circles ami communities of my contemporaries, an the text to which (hat commentary relates." Fleetwood bj ( -«"i\\ In MORLEY. The curiosity entertained by the lover of antiquities, of inquiring into the origin of ancient and celebrated Structures, commonly excites a regrei that the accounts of them which have been left to posterity should be so meagre and insufficient. Through the apathy of our forefathers, and indifference* orignorance of our early writers. Hie history of many most interesting places is now for ever buried in an impenetrable obscurity. Amongst the number of these is the ancient Church or Chapel, at Morley — a Chanel which having' been in the hands of Papists, Protest- ants, and protestant Dissenters, and. under some form or other, a place of worship from the aera of the Saxon Heptarchy down to the I -resent period, may well engage the notice and amuse the fancy of the learned and inquisitive, while it can scarcely fail to be esteemed by those whose ancestry have frequented it for many generations. Impressed by sentiments like these, and as one member of a family which, for two hundred years at least; has resided in the neighbourhood, I am desirous of paying to its ruins a passing tribute of respect. Put 1 feel the stronger stimulus to do this by reason that its history stands con- nected with events of great general and local interest. And. therefore it is that, although labouring under disadvantages as an Antiquary, 1 still hope to make my book entertaining, which is, truly, the great object of my ambi- tion. In Domesday I5<»'k the Saxon Church at Morley is thus noticed : — •• In Moreleia habuit Dunstan VI. Car terra' ad Geld, et Y 1 . Car pOSSUnl ibi esse qui [Ibertus habuil ^'^\ weisl est. Ibi est Ecclesia.] Silva past, l leug. long el l late, T.R.E. Val. xl. Sol." In Morley, Dunstan For ill u tration ot this, let any one peruse the history of tershire, by Burton, and other works composed by men who po lessed abundant matter for the gratification of pos- terity, and suffered it to \\ we have now about 2, GOO acres within the Township, including our new Enclosures and waste. The other passage in Domesday relating to Morley, to be seen in Mr. Bawdwen's translation under the head of " Claims of the West- Riding," is thus rendered — ••According to the Verdict of the Men of Morelege (Morley) Wapentake, concerning the Church of St. .Mary, which is in Morley Wood, the King has a Moiety of the three Festivals of St. Mary's, which belongs to Wakefield. [Iberl and the Priests who serve the Church have all the rest." ■iBi It may, well enough, be supposed, inde- pendently of what is here stated, that at the time of the General Survey under William "the Conqueror," this part of the country presented one general aspect of wood and waste, as did by far the greatest part of the whole Island for a century or twoj after his " Usurpation ;" but, fortunately, we have disclosed to us some far more important par- ticulars, namely, — That there was, even in the reign of Edward the Confessor, a Church here — that it was dedicated to the Mother of Christ, and called " St. Mary's,"— that, Ilbert or Hildebert (one of the celebrated family of the De Lacies) was chief Lord over this dis- trict, under the Norman, — that the alms, oblations, or offerings belonging to this Church were considerable, and were enjoyed in moieties — one half by the King, as seized of the advowson of the Church of Wakefield ; and the other moiety, by his feodal Baron and the Romish Priests who here officiated — from all which circumstances, and from the Town having given its name to the Wapen- take, we may be sure, that Morley, though now a poor manufacturing village, was, in early times, a place of considerable conse- quence. This inference, indeed, receives ample con- firmation from what is mentioned by Dr. Whitaker, in page 5 of his Ducatus Leodien- sis, who states, " That, in the year 1322, a large division of the Scottish army, which spread devastation and havoc wherever they came, wintered at Morley, and threw the inhabitants of Leeds into such a panic, that they buried their treasures ; some of which, being the coins of that period, were found in the early part of the last century." It ap- pears also, from the defence of Henry de Abberford, a Prior of Nostel, as will be related in a following page, that Morley had to sup- port an army of Scots, for fifteen days, some years before the rebellion of the Duke of Lancaster, and that the Priory suffered much in its revenues, by reason of the Scots remain- ing for the same period, at Birstal, Roth well, and Baumberg. And, it may be here just- noted, incidentally, that from Morley being mentioned in connection with these places, the revenues of whose Churches certainly belonged to St. Oswald's, it is evident thai \ This, no doubt, gave rise to Church Spires or Steeples, the only sure guides by day, as the Lantern Towers were by night. See Dugdale's Warwickshire, &c. Nichols's Leicester- shire, vol. 3, p. 144. some profits, arising from its Chapelry, per- tained to that Priory in the fourteenth century . It would rje difficult to believe thai bo cele- brated a Church as that of St. Mary's, and one so rich in offerings, should have flourished hero without an adequate number of parish- ioners; and. certainly, not less bo, to fanci what else but its fine woods could have induced the Scots to settle at Morley, during a whole winter; for, as to its situation, it is lofty, and cold, and bu1 about half a mile from one of the highest ridges in the county. It seems, therefore, extremely probable that, until \\iv reign of Edward the Second, the population and opulence of tins place was upon the advance; and. my conjecture is, that from the breaking up of their winter quarters by this Scottish army, when, most likely,* the Town and its Church were des- troyed, we are to date the period of its decline. I am led to this surmise by two circum- stances. The firsl is, that upon many wall- stones hereabouts, I have discovered evident marks of fire; and. especially, on some which have probably belonged to the Church or Chapel of Edward the Second's reign. The next is. because we know that about 1818, Yorkshire, in particular, Buffered from the incursions of the Scots most dreadfully: for, then it was that Stripton and Scarbro' were set on fire, and Northallerton and Borough- bridge were burnt, by those cruel Invaders. But, to return to our extracts — Whoever is unacquainted with the character of Dunstan, and may be desirous of learning more respecting him, will be amused by perusing- our best histories of the Anglo- Saxons. Suffice it here to observe that, according- to the accounts, he was an Abbot of Glastonbury, and one who held the highest offices in Church and State. A Monk who. under the garb of sanctity, concealed a mind elevated by ambition and ecclesiastical pride. while he betrayed a temper insolent, violent, and ungovernable.*! Living in an age of the grossest ignorance and superstition, this • In 1322 the Scots laid waste nil thfl I. .whs ami Villages from Carlisle to York, elarkson s EUehmond, p. 34. t One of the Monkish writers, however, Hym him another character, which 1 transcribe at second hand. " Krat ita Natural] pnedltOI Ingenio, ut facile (juani libel rem acutissimo Intelligent, ftrminlme retineret, el quean li aliii artllma nag oiflce polleret, mniioam tamen hihtJbU auadam affeettoM yendlcabat, dent Darld Pealterluin nunena, ( Ithetaaa, percu- tiens, moiiuians Organa, Cintbela tangent Pnsteree Hano aptUI ad omnia, face re DOtoU I'icuiiaiii. litterai furm.ire ICalpello iniprimere ex auro, argento, MN et fetTO " 10 ferocious ruffian had the lurk to pass for so holy a man BU9 to obtain the reputation of a Saint, and to be canonized, as such, after his death. Even yet, his name appears upon the British Calendar, while that of some men4 who have deserved the gratitude of their country, is held up to ignominy in that of Tyburn. Respecting Hbert, the first of the De Lacies noticed in our Annals, I can give the reader but little information, as very little has been recorded respecting him. He was. however. a gentleman of good family, of Norman ex- tract, and one who came to England in the train of the Conqueror.^" For his services he was, about the- year 1072, created Lord of Pontefract and Baron of Blackburnshire, which, long after this period, was a several shire, or province, of itself. This family, by various intermarriages amougst the chief Nobility in the land, became soon of chief rank and consequence. We read of them as being the Founders of three several religious Houses at Nostel, Pontefract, and Kirkstall ; as becoming Earls of Lincoln — as possessing twenty-five towns in the Wapentake of Morley, and the greater part of 150 Manors in the West Riding of Yorkshire. My last comment upon the foregoing ex- tracts, should now turn upon the Church of St. Mary, but it will be doing the subject more justice, to state the opinion of a very learned Author, as to its high antiquity. "In the Manor of Wakefield with its Berewicks," says Dr. Whitaker, "there were two Churches and three Priests. The Churches may, without the slightest hesitation, be assigned to Wakefield and Sandal ; and, as we know that a Chapel, at Horbury, existed within 50 years of this time ; and, as Chapels are never mentioned in Domesday, the pre- sumption is, that the third Priest ministered at that place. I am further persuaded that though the Church, at Wakefield, was in ex- istence in the Conqueror's reign, it was not one of the original Saxon Churches, of which, in the Hundred of Morley, there were only two; namely, Morley itself the Hundred ! I allude especially to such men as Kugene Aram and Dr. I>odd ; in regard to the former of whom I am supported by the Historian Smollett. From inv very childhood, 1 have delighted in prying into the life of this wonderful Scholar, and the particulars of his case. My gleanings will be left to my family. Suiiiee it to observe, it is far from certain that he was so criminal as is believed. 1 See a very scarce and curious hook entitled. " The Blazon of Centrie, Itc., compiled by John Fearne, gentleman, I'm the instruction of all Gentlemen Hearers of Irmes, whom, and none other, this book OOncerneth, att London, printed for John Wlndet, for Toby Cooke, 1686." [tprofi illy to treat of "the Lacies Nohilitie " Church, and Dewsbury, the known Parent of four later parishes in this hundred, besides three in A.gbridge. The following quotation from Domesday will not only prove this posi- ii iii that, Wakefield belongs not to the first class of Saxon Churches; but, also, that (at whatever period) it was taken out of the original parish of Morley." " Bed Verediee hmnum de Morelege Wap. de Ecclia See Mariae que e in Silva Morlege Rex hr dim elemos de iii Festis See Marie i q d ptinet ad Wachefeld Reliquum h r Ilbert & Presbi qui Eeclie inserv r ." " This curious passage," says the Dr., '• proves, that, at the separation of the Parish of Wakefield from Morley, a moiety of the oblations were separated with it. The other moiety remained to Ilbert de Lacy, the chief lord, and to the Priests who performed the duties of the Church. This division of the offerings appears to have been common in the later Saxon times, at the foundation of new parishes ; and it is precisely paralleled in the first endowment of the church of Blackburn, w r ith the fourth-part of the tithes and offer- ings antecedently due to the Mother Church of Whalley." If a Thane erected on his own bocland (i.e. freehold or charter-land) a Church — having a cemetery or place of burial, he was allowed to subtract one- third part of his tithes from the Mother Church, and to bestow upon them his own clerk. After this separation, there- fore, of Wakefield from Morley, and, more especially, the subtraction of his tithes by that Lacy who founded and made Batley the Church of this Parish,* as hereafter will be related, it is evident the tithes, offerings, and oblations of the Mother Church, at Morley, reduced to a Chapelry, would be compara- tively trifling. It cannot well be expected that I should be able to give the reader any account of our Church in its infant state, or of the changes To encourage the erection of Churches, in early times, upon the Domains of the Lords of Manors, it seems they had held out to them, by way of temptation, the Commission from the Ordinary, of the right of patronage and the privilege of annexing, In perpetuity, all tithes and oblations accruing within weir own demesnes, to the service of each particular Church. To these, it appears, therefore, they added a portion of land or glebe, as absolutely necessary to the accommoda- tion of an incumbent, at a time when almost all the wants of life must have been supplied from the produce of the earth: Whitaker', Whalley, p. 33. 11 which took place in its appearance, during the dark ages.f when it is considered, that in compiling the histories of our ecclesiastical structures, the most learned and indefatigable Inquirers are ever bewildered in a labyrinth of doubt and uncertainty, till they arrive at thai sera when the light of science and literature broke in upon the world, by the invention of printing. To the man who would investigate and impart such matters as transpired, when all the nations of Europe were slumbering in superstition, the scanty detail of a poor Monk, confined to the dungeon of his cloister, and collecting his news, perchance, from the hear- say tales of pilgrims, pedlars, or palmers, is like the light of a glow-worm upon a winter's nighl . which serves only to make the surrounding darkness still more striking. Sad, indeed, were the ages in which our earliest chroniclers existed, and well may they account for the fabulous legends and trilling incidents which their works contain. The studies of these men — their taste — their habits — the rigid rules of the monastic orders — the turbulent state of the times — the want of posts — of traverseable roads — of police — of instruction from the press — all contributed to disqualify them for the task of authorship. Yet, who does not regret, deeply, that so many of their manuscripts should have perished, as doubt- less happened on the suppression of Ihe monasteries? For, who can tell what lights they would not have thrown upon our national historyj and antiquities? And, amongst other curious particulars, what valuable hints they might not have supplied for a history of of Morley, and of its celebrated Mother Church — "the Church of St. Mary's in the Wood?" The absence of positive informal ion can only, in cases like the present, be supplied by probable conjecture. To me, it seems likely that some pari of the chancel, or East-end of the present fabrick, was a part of the church destroyed by conflagration, as before sug- gested; lstly, because of the materials- being, in fact, mere cobble stones, which have never been coursed, or even tooled with the pick-axe. — 2ndly, because of the corbels or projections of stone on which the rafter roof is placed. — 3rdly, because of a projecting stone of singular form within the building — evidently a Catholic remain, and intended, as 1 How little La known about our ancienl < liurcbes, the Volumes of the Gentleman's Magazine may discover. ! Sec fuller's Church History, 1$. \i. i>. :;:;i ; or, Nic) Leicestershire., vol. 6. part 1, page 308, note 5, I believe, to hold a crucifix. And. ithly, because that very ancient silver pennies were once found in these walls — a fad often related l»y persons of respectability, lately deceased. About seventy - the workmen employed by John Dawson, Esq., of Morley, were making some alterations in a seal of his. in this chancel, they discovered tin- floe of an old chimney in the East wall, and, on removing some stones, a few coins, said to have been of Edward the Confessor, were found. Some of these were presented to the then minister, the Rev. Thomas .Morgan, by Mr. Dawson. Unfortunately. Air. Morgan was robbed of them, much in the same waj as poor Thoresby, the historian, was of his "fine Caligula" by a "pretended Gentleman of curiosity," who came express from Leeds to see these treasures, and made them his own, by borrowing the coins and returning, in the stead of them, a few pennies of much inferior ag'e, value, and rarity. Yet. although this chancel is. apparently, (as to some pari of if) of higher antiquity than even Edward 2nd\s reign, we may he' quite sure that it neverformed a part of the original Church of St. Mary,|| With much more pro- bability may il he conjectured to have been pari of a Church erected upon the site of that edifice, by one of the he Lacies, aboul the beginning of the twelfth century; and, judg- ing of them from what our old historians relate. I should, certainly, give the honour of it to Robert, the Son of illicit, before-men- tioned ; for he it was xv | ln founded the Priory of St. Oswald, at Nostel ; and attached to it the revenues of the former Church at Batley ; and he il was who reduced the Church, at Morley, to a Chapelry, dependant on Batley. in the reign of Benry 1st. The \-.\;^ for building Churches, and found- ing and endowing Monasteries, was, indeed, peculiarly prevalent dining the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and few appear to have ! the means and inclination of this Robert : who also founded the Priory of Pontefractl — greatly contributed to its Hospi- tal of St. Nicholas — and added QlUch to the strength and beauty of it- Castle. i.iy Book, ' mj - Mr. Brooke, •• that many i f our Chi • even in tl d 1056 and 1065 . an. I. no doubt, everal of thorn for though the Saxons wore, in general, timber bnildinga time, namely in the eleventh century, man/ wen nu s'.one." Irchsol, vol •. | 1 Stowe'a Annals, p, 150 12 Apart, however, From matter of dispute, it may well be assumed thai Moriey, having its Church reduced in the twelfth century, and being plundered and wasted in the fourteenth, would SOOD dwindle away, by the dispersion of its natives, from an improving and popu- lous town to an obscure hamlet. But here a natural and interesting question arises — namely, how it has come to pass that so few vestiges of its ancient greatness appear at this day? The answer to which leads me to a short dissertation, addressed, more especially, to my younger readers. To begin then, at the beginning — the dwel- lings of the ancient Britons appear to have consisted of little more than the trunks and boughs of trees, fenced andentertwined within their spacious forests. - They knew nothing," says Caesar, " of building with stone, but called that a town which had a thick en- tangled wood defended with a ditch and bank about it ; and to which," he adds, " they flee, to escape the invasions of their enemies." " Which stands them in good stead," says Strabo, "for when they have, by felling of trees, mounted and fenced therewith a spacious round plot of ground, there they build for themselves houses and cottages; and for their cattle, set up stalls and folds, but those for the present use only, and not for long con- tinuance." — Diodorus Siculus adds, that their dwellings were thatched with reeds — their cities without walls, and the country without towns.* The Saxons also (without even the excep- tion of Churches) appear to have built entirely with wood, and occasionally, perhaps, to have resided in caves Formed by the hand of Nature or of man. It certainly appears very singular that, when multitudes of people of both nations must often have been summoned to rear blocks of stone for monumental, religious, or other purposes, they should so little have regarded them as conducive to comfort and security in their domestic dwellings. After the Conquesl our native forests re- maining, with little diminution, the use of wood iii the construction of houses continued to be general. f The fust departure from this practice appears, however, to have been at a very early period, when, probably, more for -iifet v and defence, than for ease and elegance, Speed 8tow< Inn solitary shores. — Its streets, once populous with the devotees of Diana, arc now ploughed over by the Ottoman Serf, or browsed by the sheep of the peasant. — It was, early, the stronghold of Christianity, and stood at the head of the apostolic churches of Asia. — It was there that St. Luke says 4 "the Word of God mightily grew and prevailed." — Not a single Christian now dwells within it ! Its mouldering arches and dilapidated walls whisper merely the tale of its former glory; and it requires the acumen of the Geographer, and the active scrutiny of the exploring Traveller, to form a probable conjecture as to the site of the " first Wonder of the WorM." Nothing remains unaltered, but the "eternal Hills," and the Mazy Cayster, the streams of which still roll on changeless and the same.f Where too. we may ask, are the vestiges which denote the former greatness of many principal places in our own Island, of Roman or Saxon fabric — liibchester — Aldboro' — Old Sarum — Halbam, — and many others} too numerous to be mentioned? But. to return again to our subject. — At whatever period it wa*> built, one thing seems very evident and is confirmed by tradi- tion, — namely, that the greater part of what now constitutes the nave or body of the pre- sent Chapel was formerly the tithe-barn || of the Lord of the .Manor. Whoever doubts of this will be satisfied, by comparing its form, dimensions, and pillars with tln»v.>, for in- stance, of the tithe-barn, at Birstai, not to mention many other such appendages to our ancient Churches and Manor-houses. The pillars have, however, been built in the walls, or stood iii the frame of the structure in this instance, in which it appears to have some- what differed from the barn at Birstai. Whether it was an old barn of lath and plaister or formed of such stones a- are -ecu in buildings of this kind I cannot determine; but. when the low state of agriculture down t" tiie cud of the seventeenth century is con- sidered, we may be sure it was large enough tor the tithe produce "i the very few I holders then living hereabout-; and. after- wards, when these tithe- began to be com- pounded for. it would he Uflel There seem- every reason for believing thai of the \p"aies, cli. 10, v. •_'<• t '• Let-ten from the i . ! Notcnl- . , ItlimiccsUr, Ar in M"\\c - \niul w e in n. • in. . ol .t Bath or l.nitli riven for .» < hurch in r-ulv times, and thence called " Lailhkirk. " W|iiUkcr» RionmondBhlre, p, 14ft 1 1 tho first change in the appearance of this barn, whatever it was, took place about the times of James or Charles the Lst, and that it was then § converted into a place of worship. But its greatest improvement, we may reasonably conclude, happened under the Commonwealth of England, partly from the times, but, prin- cipally, from our first Trust Deed. At all events, it was then a Chapel, as the ancient scrolls upon its walls, with their inscriptions, go nearly to prove; besides which, this Trust Deed, executed in L 650, .expressly mentions "the Chapel." which could have been none other than this building. The chancel of the old demolished Church had evidently been converted into a school, if not a dwelling, and was an integral structure, as I think, down to the sera of the Revolution in 1G88. In fact 1 know it was the village school in 16(33, and that the master was either a once celebrated Republican officer (Capt. Thomas Oates) or one of his sons — Ralph", or Samuel — the former of whom had taken the degree of Master of Arts, in one of the Universities. But, under what form the Chapel presented itself in 1GG3 it is now impossible to deter- mine. 1[ Before I proceed further in my account of the Chapel 1 must here (as the most appro- priate place) be allowed to touch upon a sub- ject of more importance, and which will interest my friends in a greater degree; I mean the description of Clergymen or Ministers who officiated at Morley when our forefathers were first truly emancipated from the thral- dom of superstition ; and it is peculiarly for- tunate that 1 should have discovered a book which illustrates it in some degree. It is true, 1 am now straying from my first sub- ject, but every man has his own way of telling a story, and my object being, to present circumstances in their proper order of time. I shall pursue this course, as most con- venient to the writer, if not perspicuous to the reader. The title of the bonk |o which 1 allude is as follows. — " Totum hominis, or the whole duty of a Christian, consisting of Faith and a good life, by the late Rev. and worthy Mr. Samuel Wales, Minister of the Gospel al Morley, 1(127."— It is dedicated -Mo Philip Lord Warton," and the second edition now f My subsequent remark i upon the walls their Inscriptions h rolls, and other things \\ ii 1 he\* this. •. [.am. neverthi I that LI would greatly resemble Denton Chapel. See the Gentleman' Magazine for L700, p. 085. before me, was printed in 1681, by Lord Wharton and Sir Thomas Wharton, his brother, --for the benefit of. and with a pre- fatory Epistle to then- children and grand- children." From the whole content- of this little duodecimo volume, it is manifest that Mr. Wales was one of those persons who were called •• Puritans" — that he was a good scholar — a zealous minister — and a vehement declaimer against Popery and Antinomianism. It might be tedious to some, Avere I to give many extracts from his writings, but there are two passages which so strikingly exhibit the descriptions of Ministers popular at Morley, in the early part of the seventeenth century, that it would be blameable to pass them over in silence. Speaking of "the needs which the best of men have of helps towards a better life," Mr. A Vales proceeds thus — " First then," says he, "by way of application, we see the folly of k - them discovered and checked who cry down " all means as being of little or no use to them " who are in Christ. I know the man's name b - who compared one coined to Christ to a man "that, having finished his house, lays aside " his tools. How. I pray you, (judge in your- " selves) can those men who deny that i# Scriptures are either guide or rule to a true " Christian — who maintain that Ministers " ought not to urge or call for repentance, "mortification, and holy walking; who dis- '* like repetition of sermons — judge family " prayer a thing indifferent — dare travel on " the Lord's Day without scruple — rest con- " tented with a reading Minister — cast away "all books but the bible, and say plainly. "commentaries do but mislead men — that "treatises directing to a godly life will mar "Christians. — How, 1 say. can these think "that means and duties are needful? And "doth any man think that by arguments "drawn out of the Word 1 should oppose " this New divinity ? Shall 1 spend time in ••shewing how this opinion fights with the "experience of David and Daniel — both of '•them, though Prophets, most precise "observers of holy duties and exercises, and ••one of them bitterly lamenting the neglect •• of public means?" entleman, I am persuaded, was brother to the Rev. Elkanah Wales, a Presbyterian minister, of Pudsey ; of. whom ar account may be found in Or. Calamy's Memorial, vol. 2, p. : .rv with these, and (for the honor of our \ illage) born at Morley, in L6Q0, was the Rev. Edwd. Eteyner, M. \. of Cambridge. \n abstract of whoso life, in the same volume, p. 1 19, I recommend to the perusal of my townsmen. It is evident, to me, that the Ministers of their principles and times, were quite as much opposed to the heresies of Antinomianism as to the superstitions of Popery, lo Iii another place, and speaking upon another topic, Mr. Wales proceeds thus: — "Whence is it," says he, "that sometimes "we have known mockers and professed "enemies of God's servants — (Puritans, men "call them now a days) — in cold blood, or in " the evil day. desire their prayers — wish to 11 die their death, and commit to their hands ••the most important business It is not because I judge these the best passages! in the Sermons before me that they are here transcribed ; albeit my opinion cer- tainly is, that in preaching', the colloquial style is far more persuasive, if not animated, than any other ; and far more likely to win its way with an auditoiy, if accompanied with the address and energy which is requisite, especially in a Minister of religion. My object is, mainly, to exhibit a specimen of the preachers at our Chapel, from the reign of James to that of Charles the 1st ; — for as the people in our clothing districts were most attached to Ministers of this description ; and they were, manifestly, most encouraged by by the Lords Wharton, Savile, Fairfax, and other good, as well as great, men long before and after the accession of Charles the 1st, it may be fairly assumed that such as was Mr. Wales, in point of sentiment, such also were his immediate predecessors here, and, cer- tainly, his successors. They were what the Papists and Semi-Papists of the reigns of Elizabeth, James, and Charles, affected to sneer at under the appellation of "Puritan" — a name, however, to which they were well entitled from the piety and morality of their lives, the more scriptural tenor of their doctrines, and the conscientious motives fr< >m which these tenets were inculcated. But from the foregoing passage we come also to another inference, and which is fur- ther supported by the history of the Puritans ; namely, that these excellent men, though ministers of the Protestant establishment, either wholly or for some time wore, nol " reading" — but, " preaching " ministers ; and as their sermons were generally ex- t One passage in this volume is so curious, that I cannot help extracting it,— " Whence is it," says Mr. Wales, "that we hear men complain of their houses beiiifj infested with evil spirits? (All such things are not fables and illusions, though many be.) There is No Prayer in their houses ! ! !" As many able and excellent men besides the great Dr. Johnson (the believer in the Cock lane ghost) and the cele- brated John Wesley, have given up their understandings on the subject of preternatural appcarancee and noises, this opinion may be pardoned. But who can forbear a smile at the answer to the above query? What would John have thought of it? and how would he have looked, had tin- n In his father's house been accounted for as above stated / temporaneous, or delivered from short notes,j or else? memoriter: so also wen- their devo- tions when they were left t" the impulses their best feelings, and were doI fettered by the formularies of the New establishiru Lastly, 1 suspect from the words " New divinity,*' that it was not the Papists only, but partly the Churchmen, only half-converted from the Romish superstitions, and ; artly the Antinomians or high Calvinists, who were thus censured by this Puritan, as deny- ing the sufficiency of the Scriptures — the absolute necessity of repentance and holiness of life, and the right of private judgment and free inquiry. And I cannot help observing that for Morley to have such a pious and enlightened ministry as was here in an age of superstition, ignorance, and tyranny, con- fers upon it a stamp of far greater dignity than could ever be affixed to it by St. Dunstan and his Priests, or by Henry Tudor § and his Reformers. But the mention of the word " Puritans" and that too by Mr. Wales, who, as I have before said, was evidently a minister of this class, induces me more particularly to advert to the character and some of the tenets of our old ministers — the guides and companions of our patriotic forefathers. The Puritans became first conspicuous in the reign of Elizabeth, or about the year 1658.* It has been generally thought that they were protected, if nol secretly encou- raged, by Cecil, Walsingham, Leicester, and Other great statesmen Of those times. These Puritans — (to their immortal honour be it ever remembered ) — were the first men who, as a party, had the coinage and the virtue to propagate the principles of Civil and Reli- gious Liberty — for the age in which they Lived I hey were the " Salt of the Earth," and though their zeal was chiefly directed against Papal forms and ceremonies, vestments, and images, yet they merit the admiration of posterity for effecting the most material breach that ever was made into the artfully cemented fabric of the Romish church, and t This appears to have been the practice "f WyoUffa -> M uy drove many pious mau out of the kingdom. Bee the Gentleman's M.igsiine for i7ws. p in snd i Note following, p 24 16 a-i having sown those good seeds in the field of civil government which came to maturity under the Commonwealth of England. It is, in fact, from the rise of the Puritans, (and not from the dark and lawless period absurdly called "the Reformation,") thai we observe the dawning of a light to which Wycliffe and Lutherf were but " the morning stars." — so that, if we take our stand at this sera, we Look back to the age of uncorrupted Chris- tianity, as over a vast and gloomy desert upon which not a shrub appears to improve the view of the lovely mountains and fertile fields beyond it. To display, however, more clearly, the justice of my encomiums upon these vener- able men, and illustrate what I have hereto- fore proposed, as well as to vindicate the remarks which will appear hereafter, I shall endeavour to sketch, with studied brevity, the general state of religion in former times — merely premising that although this has no connection with the topographical part of my history, yet it falls, quite as much as that, within the scope of my plan. In no book, that I know of, is the same matter condensed within the short compass of a page or two, and in none more, than in this publication, is it likely to be read by those for whose instruc- tion and amusement I am most concerned. No fact is more generally known than that until the early part of the sixteenth century the Romish superstition was the religion u established bylaw" in this country, as it still is in some countries upon the Continent ; and how calamitous this was for the nation, may be perceived in almost every page of our history. Yet, notwithstanding the arro- gant pretensions — the frauds, — the violence, rapacity, and cruelties of this national church — and although from its pagan habits, cere- monies, and festivals, its complete dissimili- tude to the church of Christ might well have been discovered ; yet it encountered no material opposition^: till the time of our t See much respecting these 1'uritans in Strype's Life of Bishop Ayltner, p. 108, 9, 10, 11, 12, 10, and 20. They appear to have been favoured by other nobles, such as Henry, Earl of Huntington, so early as lf>84. See a curious fact disclosed in Nichols's Leicestershire, vol. 3, part 2, p. 580, note 5. X Excepting only from the learned and admirable Bishop (Jrosteste (Grostete) Greathead, whose superior mind strove in vain to break through the fogs of Popery in the darkest ■••son. Mw. Paris calls him " Domini l'ap;t> et Regis Kedar- gutor - -Manefestus l'relatorum (Jorreptor Monachorum Cor- rector 1'resbyterorum Director — Clcricorum Instructor — Scholarium Sustentator- I'opuli pnwlicator— incontinent um Persecutor - Scripturarum sedulus I'erscrutator diversarum Komanorum Mallajus et Contemptor." What a fine character ! Allow me, reader, to present you with a female, oompa&ion, portrait — countryman — Wycliffe. This enlightened and intrepid champion was the first who immortalized himself by his attack upon it; and although, for above a century afterwards, little elfeci appeared to have been produced by his preaching or his writings, yet they led to important results at last — for, by putting the minds of men in motion, by stirring up a spirit of inquiry and debate, he prepared the way for a reformation. The doctrines advanced by Wycliffe, and by which he assailed " the strong man keep- ing his palace" — " armed" with ecclesiasti- cal laws, and intrenched within the battle- ment of "established" prejudices, were not confined to a bold denial of the supremacy of St. Peter— the infallibility of the Pope — the authority of the Romish church — the merit of monastic vows, or the senseless fiction of the real presence, but embraced also many of those points for which the Puritans of the seventeenth century contended valiantly; such as the proper constitution of a Christian church, and the sufficiency of Scripture, both as a rule of faith and discipline. What, however, ought most to excite our surprise and admiration is, that he also taught the dependency of the Church upon the State, and the necessity of its being reformed by the State — that the clergy should possess no estates in respect of their office — that the whole " trade of war" was utterly unlawful — that the numerous ceremonies of the Church were hurtful to true piety — and that to tie down ministers and people to written forms of prayer was a wrongful restraint upon Christian liberty. — This man was a Dissenter indeed !§ It is very natural to imagine, as the event proves, that the " established" clergy would be much alarmed and incensed at such doc- trines as these; and that, as they were unable to put them down by argument or an appeal to Scripture, they would resort to the " ultima ratio clericorum" — the sword of the civil magistrate. Unhappily the reigning monarch, however uninstructed in some respects, was Walsingham, writing of Eleanor, wife of Edward 1st, says, " The king lamented her loss as long as he lived, ordaining perpetual masses and alms for her soul, in divers parts of the kingdom— for she was a woman of great piety, moderation, and tenderness- fond oftheEnglish, and, as it were, the pillar of the realm. In her time, foreigners did not pester England, — nor were the subjects oppressed by the king's officers, if the least complaint came, by any means, to her ears. She admin- istered comfort to the distressed every where as her rank enabled her, and reconciled to the best of her power, all who were at variance," p. f>4. § See Life of Wycliffe, by Vaughan, vol. 2, p. 99, 309, Sic. Neale's History. &c. 17 not yet so inexperienced as to be ignorant of the fact that such an established Church is a must convenient ally and. powerful auxiliary to an established despotism, and that an ex- asperated clergy are a body of men, of all others, the most dangerous. — Of course it followed that the disciples of Wycliffe were generally silenced, and some of them effectu- ally so, by being converted to ashes at the stake. It is scarcely necessary to dwell for one moment upon the period called ••the Refor- mation," since, until the time of Elizabeth, it continued much the same that it had done for ages; the only reformation being the transfer of the supremacy of this "established" Church from a ridiculous Pretender at Rome, to a sanguinary Tyrant in England. It could scarcely be credited, were not the fact indis- putable, that the people of England should have endured, and much less have acknow- ledged as head of the church of Christ, a bloody and unrelenting monster who, while he was debauching* and murdering innocent and lovely women, and consigning to the flames and scaffold the most excellent among men, could sit down coolly to prescribe articles of religious faith, and menace with ruin, withf torments and death, whoever should presume to question the infallibility of his opinions. The Prince who succeeded this despot was. considering the age. an excellent youth, but his reign was too short to be of much service to his subjects. lie caused, however, a liturgy or service-book to be prepared for the church, which although a mere compilation from the mass-book of Rome, was yet some improve- ment upon the old established forms. Had be lived longer more might have been done, but he was cut off in the bloom of youth under some circumstances of suspicion. hi thai short but eventful period — the reign of Mary — religion appears to have undergone an almost total eclipse in this island; while superstition performed its most fearful trage- dies, involving in proscription, massacre, and torment, whoever had the misfortune to excite its rage.J In this hour oi" darkness, however, a glim- mering light was seen in ;t dislant country. There can be no doubt that the " Defendei ol the Faith debauched Mary, the eldi Inne Boleyn, and after wards kept her as his concubine. See i.lli Second Series, vol. 2, p. i;;. ♦ The ruck was often used in the reigns of Henrj 3th and Hary. Anne Askew was racked alter her condemnation. Ellis's Letters, Second Series, vol, 2, p 130, I7fl The petty differences of some English re- fugees in Germany, respecting the use of king Edward's liturgy, occasioned a separation between them, which made way for the dis- tinction between Protestants and Conformists. But to the reign of Elizabeth it was reserved for the Puritans to attempt the introduction of a purer form of worship and discipline than had been thenjbofore devised. Hitherto the objection to the established religion had been confined to its popish relicks or ceremonies — to images in churches — to its pagan vest- ments "i- habits — masst — and other absurdi- ties; but under this Queen they began to contend for a form of church government to be framed on the apostolic model. In opposi- tion to the court reformers, these Puritans now denied the supremacy of lite Sovereign in religious matters — they affirmed that the Pope was Antichrist, and that the Roniish was not a Christian church. Indeed, gene- rally speaking, they maintained the distin- guishing tenets oi the venerable Wycliffe, which the others rejected. Thus was the nation divided into three I arties in religious controversy — the first, comprehending i he old Cat hoiia — the second, the Catholic Reformers, called " Protestants," but differing little from the first, except upon the slender point of ecclesiastical supremacy — and, lastly, the Puritans — the only real Reformers of those days.§ But although the Puritans loudly protested against the Protestant Church as i<> its go- vernment — its liturgy — festivals and rites, there appears to have been no dispute, b yet. between them and the "Conformists" upon doctrinal Subjects J and it 18, therefore. t •• Atheism." says the great Lord Bacon, " Leaves a man to souse- to philosophy to natural pletj t" laws to reputa ti.'n aU which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, though religion wore not: but superstition dismount these, and erectetfa an absolute monarchy in tin- hearts of men. ' What a line thought, ami what a just observation Is tiii- : ? What the general sentiment respecting tin- first Puritan em itrikingl] Illustrated in the instance of theCoventrj petition bo Elisabeth for leave to act their old plays and their old pastimes, especiallj "Hock Tide Plaj ' thing," said the cit rounded in story, ami f..> time was wont to be played in our city, yearly, without ill example of manners, papistry, or anj superstition; and we know not wherefore It oath been laid down unless It has been by the zeal of certain Preachera men ■■ y commendable for their behaviour and learning, ami tweet in (A hut somewhat too sour in preaching an ij Nichol Pi Another gem which i have diacovt red In i follows : " i;,.Yi, M, \ , ,,,,.,, |,,,.,, . | o-.-i sermon done thej -mi',', all in common, a | dm in metro a- it seems now was frenuentlj «i Uh being brought In by thonc exile*." Who, thai has any portion • •i ■ i •• ..i i n ■ * hi refc • ip'- thanks for mi, .'i, [j \ | nil •.••! ! : 18 probable, thai had aol tlio latter been in- flexibly obstinate in clinging to forms and ceremonies allowed, even by themselves, to be indifferenl ; and. what was worse, had they nut attempted to force these things, by law, upon their more conscientious brethren, the greal separation of these two parties would have fallen out upon a period much later than it did. Be this as it may. it is certain that during the time of Elizabeth, practical, or genuine, religion was little more prevalent than it had been under all the former reigns. To assemble even for religious worship without a license from the crown, the bishops, or archbishops, was made highly penal. The clergy, in general, were lazy, ignorant, and immoral, able to do little more than read prayers and homilies. In the villages the people were almost universally Papists, and as barbarous as heathens. If any person amongst the clergy or laity was somewhat pious and moral, hostile to Popery or prpfaneness, he was sure to be branded with the epithet of " Puritan." Under the government of James the 1st, the Puritans found as little favour as ever they had done under the House of Tudor, for Popery was. in fact, the favourite religion of all the St nails, whatever were their profes- sions or their oaths ; but the period had now arrived in which their numbers increased rapidly, and they received some countenance even from the nobility. Being taken into the families of men of rank, as their chaplains, and the tutors of their children, they now acquired boldness in advancing those truths which proved highly serviceable to the cause of freedom. Amongst other things they taught their auditories and pupils that sub- ordinate magistrates might lawfully make use of force to defend themselves, the common- wealth, and true religion, whenever the chief magistrate turned tyrant — imposed upon his subjects unconstitutional burthens — forced upon them idolatry — and when resistance was the only expedient to secure their lives, fortunes, and liberty of conscience. The principles, therefore, of these excellent men standing, as they did. opposed to ■nbilrary power and superstition, excited, in '!i-' reigns of the Stuart.-, the enmity of those tyrants and their familiars who ruled in Church ami State, and drew upon them all those sufferings which they experienced. They insisted upon a limited monarchy, as opposed io an insufferable despotism; and upon the primitive and apostolic church, as opposed to the impostures and corruptions of the Romish establishment ; and for such crimes as these they have been reviled and calumniated as rebels and traitors. Clarendon says "they were 1 the chief 'incendiaries.' and had the chief influence in promoting the civil war," — an assertion which may be safely and readily admitted without any concession derogatory to their piety or patriotism, when the character and conduct of Charles, and Clarendon, and their party is cons': lered. Having thus sketched the rise a id the pro- gress of Puritanism down to the time of Mr. Wales, the first minister here of whom I can discover an} 7 trace, and who appears to have been highly respected by Lord Wharton, an eminent chief of the Republican party during the Civil War, the reader may well imagine how the pulses of our townsmen beat during that momentous struggle ; and what I shall hereafter state will abundantly confirm the inference. In their political principles, indeed, the Puritan flocks of every denomination appear at first to have been sound,* and in the dissemination of them their pastors were highly useful ; far more so, I am sorry to add, than some of them in after times became in their polemical controversies, or pulpit exercises. "The Puritan or Parliament clergy." says Neaie in his comments upon them under the reign of Charles the 1st, "were zealous Calvinists, and having been for some years prohibited from preaching against the Arminians, they now pointed all their artillery against them, insisting on little else in their sermons but the doctrines of predestination — justification by faith — salvation by free grace — and the inability of man to do what is good. The duties of the second table were too much neglected. From a strong aversion to Arminianism these divines unhappilly made way for Antinomianism, verging from ono extreme to another until, at length, some of the weaker sort were lost in the wild mazes of enthusiastical dreams and visions; and others, from false principles, pretended to justify the hidden works of dishonesty. The assembly of divines did what they could to put a stop to these pernicious errors; but the A valuable collection of traits in my possession, printed and published before and during the Civil War, abundantly illustrate the above assertion. Many of them arc admirably well written, and present us with a' striking picture of the limes. to great scarcity of preachers, of a learned education, who took part with the Parliament, left some pulpits in the country empty, and the people to be led aside in many places by every bold pretender to inspiration." From the whole history, indeed, of the Nonconformists in the reign of Charles, and the subsequent period, it is manifest, that the Puritans of these times, generally, were no longer the same men in religion, especially, that had shone in the early periods of the Reformation; and the change may be Avell accounted for when it is recollected, that from the year 1G1G. when the first Independent Chapel was built in England, prodigious car- goes of metaphysical divinity f — suitable, alas! to the taste of the age — was imported from Geneva { and distributed among men who had but too much reason to undervalue every tenet of the Romish church. But the injury to society here was soon apparent ; for, when more attention was paid to points on which Dissenters differed than to those on which they were agreed — " when more zeal was displayed in proposing paradoxes and defending subtleties, than in inculcating the plainly revealed — the important, and useful truths of Christianity, the lovely fruits of }>eace and charity perished beneath the storms of controversy." With all my partiality, therefore, for those admirable men who in the Commonwealth and succeeding times displayed a patriotism and liberality truly charming, I, yet, cannot but despise the cant and drivelling imbecility which they discovered in their fanatical reve- ries ; and I cannot but detest it as having given to the enemy a just ground for triumph — as having, moreover, shocked or disgusted multitudes who, but for this, might have been won over to the standard of reform, and might have occasioned us to have become, both in Church and State, a very different nation from what the nineteenth century has found us. Although it cannot, now, be ascertained who succeeded Mr. Wales, at Morley, or what were his principles, we may be assured he was of the denomination called " Presby- terian," from the encouragemenl which many of the supplies met with from the Lords t It should seem, from what Blahop IJurnet tells us, that into Scotland as well as England, this plague in religion had become prevalent about the same time.— Own times, vol 1 p. 62. J It is curious to observe that the doctrines of Calviu arc now nowhere more disliked than they are at Ueneva. Savile, Fairfax, and Wharton, all of thai sect. Whoever may be desirous of knowing more than I shall here transcribe, will consult Dr. Calamy's Memorial. Suffice it to observe that, since the second revolution, our fore- fathers have chosen for their pa-tor-, down to the end of the last century, men of real learning — of somewhat different sentiments, but generally, if not always, of the denomi- nation called (however improperly) " Presby- terian."§ Where there may be a variance 1 shall perhaps remember to notice it hereafter. But, to return to the Chapel, since from a comparison of its pillars, or posturns, and their springers or spurs, and also of the wood-work in its roof, with similar erections (having dates or without them) it is impossible to believe it of greater antiquity than the a-ra of Elizabeth, we are driven to the conclusion that it was used as a barn but lor a short period; for that this building, under BOme form or other, was the Chapel at Morley. in the time of Mr. Wales, may be depended on. unless the chancel end was the chapel. Now it is certain that this chancel was a school or vestry in these times, and from in- spection it appears probable that it continued a distinct and integral building till 1660, if not in 1693. It is most likely that it was the vestry as well as the village school after "the Restoration," but 1 am convinced it was not laid open to the Chapel till after the Revolution in 1G88. The only document, however, shewing the existence of a Chapel here in 1650, is the Original Trust Deed, which conveys, along with other premises, "a parcel of land called Chapped Yeard wherein the ChappeH of Morley now Btandeth." This Chapel must. however, have been a sorry edifice in these day> : for besides such evidence of the fact as [s supplied by a view of the building itself, the low state of trade and population here, and the unsettled state of the nation till the ascendancy of Cromwell, leave ns no room to doubt of the ruin of the Chapel, and the poverty of its curates. Bui the period at length arrived in which the congregation at the Chapel increased rapidly ; and. from the influence, no doubt, of its pastors and chief members, obtained such countenance, that Thomas Viscount Savile. Earl <»f Sussex, Lord of the Manor in 1650, and living at llowley Hall, was pleased to | No doubt they wire so called horn making common cmm with the Pmbyttifotu oi scots during the Cm! W &0 granl to certain Trustees of the Presbyterian denomination, a lease for five hundred years i»l* the Chapel premises with some land and buildings, "and all the tithes of corn, grain, grass, and hay thereunto belonging, al an annual renl of Twenty Shillings, 'for the benefit of a preaching* minister.' " Before I proceed further it will perhaps be bes1 i" recapitulate some things here, and mention others, in order that a more clear outline or sketch of history may be presented down to the 25th of September, 1G50, when this lease was granted. It is. certainly, a very imperfect one. but it is the best which I ran collect out of mere fragments and doubt- ful authorities. It appears then that, by grant from the Conqueror, whatever pertained to the Saxon Church at Morley, was transferred to Ilbert de Lacy, or was acquired by his son Robert, who having reduced it to a Chapelry depen- dant on Batley, (which Church he had founded) and having given tlief advowson of the latter to the Priory of St. Oswald at Nostel, whatever profits might arise from the former would, in all probability, become vested in that religious house ; and that they were so vested is further shewn by a circumstance which shall be hereafter noticed. In this state matters seem to have continued till the dissolution of the Monasteries, when Cardinal Wolsey had assigned to him the spoils of that of St. Oswald's, which convent he again surrendered to Henry 8th, on the 20th of November, 1549, and had a pension assigned to him in lieu of it. To whom this Monastery with it chapel lies or dependencies was granted by the " Defender of the Faith," I know not, but that, as far as the Chapelry at Morley is concerned, the Chapel property and glebe passed \ along with the manor and tithes into Lay-hands, I am well assured; for, about the The distinction between "a preaching " and a "reading minister," appears to have been long kept up and well under- load. See note to Lysons's .Mag. Brit; vol. 5, p. 107; but, especially, Strype'a Life of Bishop Aylmer, p. 127 8. Even I oarlefl the 1st called reading "a new inn! slothful mode of preaching," and forbade it at Cambridge. Note to Buchanan's •• star in the Bast." t The gift of this advowson by llobert de Lacy was con- firmed by Hugh de la Val, King Henry 1st and 2nd, and by Pope Alexander 3rd. This Robert also gave to St. Oswald's Priory, all his land in AJcenMhaghe(Okenahaw) Burt. Monast. ; from which bonk also it appears that " Robert and Mabel las wife, and Ilbert and Henry their sons, gave to Gilbert the Hermit of St. James de Nostel, and to the Brethren of the lame house and their successors serving God there, the manor Ol Nether BnttOD with all SUCh liberties as Ilbert, father of the lid Robert, bad of the fiee gift of William of Normandy, the year after be COnqtb red Kngland." ; It appears to me thai In Henry the 8th's reign there was HO Chapel here, but only the Chanced or some inconsiderable pari of the one demolished. The building, indeed, of a tithe- barn by the Lord, in Elizabeth's reign, on the site Of it. unictentlj indicate- the nature of the property. year 1812, when a contention arose between certain misguided individuals and the Earl of Dartmouth, respecting the tithes, his Lord- ship (if I mistake not) deduced his title from the gram 1 by Henry the 8th, of the property Of St. Oswald's, to the first§ lay possessor, and thence in a course of succession to his family. Indeed the grant of all manner of tithes belonging to the premises, leased as before slated, by the then lord of the manor clearly shews, that since the Reformation at least, they have ever been vested in lay- hands. The only passage relating to Morley which I can find in Burton's Monastacon (except as hereinafter will be mentioned) is as follows : — "Ralph de Insula" (de Lisle) and William his son or brother gave twelve oxgangs at Morley, to the Priory at Nostel, and Robert son of Herbert de Beston, gave twelve acres of land here (i.e. at Beeston) to the same Priory." Morley is certainly not in the list of Churches and Chapels given to this Priory, but perhaps it passed to it along with Batley or as an appendant to that Church. My suspicion of this arises from an extract which will be found in a following page. Taking it for granted, however, that the premises in question, under whatever form or circumstances they appeared, did as certainly belong, to the Earl of Sussex If as did the manor and the tithes, it only remains for me to account for the grant of our lease by this nobleman ; but, before I come immediately to the point, as the times in which he lived are the most deserving the attention of English- men, and the most scandalously misrepresented of any in the compass of our annals, I shall take leave to mention a few things, by way of preliminary. To persons conversant with English history it is well known that, under the reigns of the Tudors|| and first Stuart, it was deemed a capital piece of state policy to prohibit the nobility and great landed proprietors, from living near each other, and especially from holding much intercourse near the metropolis; and that proclamations were often issued commanding them to retire to their country seats, and threatening those of them who should dare to remain in London. Such a § See how this kind of property was disposed of.— Rush - worth, vol. -, p. 163. •l See how this kind of property was disposed of.— Rush- worth. \<>1. 2, p, L6S. See Irchteologia, vol 8, p. 158. Hume, &c. vol. 6, p. l«9. Rushworth, vol B, p. :'^ s 21 residence was. in these clays, considered dan- gerous to prerogative, as leading to discus- Bions upon the Frame and administration of the government, and as rendering the great more truly sensible of their individual strength and importance. These were the days when despotism over-strode the land in its most simple and intelligible form; and the will of an individual here was even more absolute than it now appears at Tunis, Algiers, or Constantinople.* The absurd caprice of a nam. or the wretched bigotry of a woman, stood in the place of law, and impotent indeed were the whispers of reason, the dic- tates of conscience, or the claims of justice. Short-lived, however, and short-sighted, was the policy alluded to, as the events of Charles's reign evinced. The wealth amassed by the nobles in their domestic retirements rendered them independent — the influence acquired by their hospitalities, charities, and intercourse made them powerful — they could not be con- veniently tampered with by the court, and they would not be its slaves — and thus the nation began to display a disposition for shaking off a yoke under which it had groaned for ages. In every point of view, as it strikes me, in which the subject can be considered, these imperious mandates were of service to the public. Translated, from the artificial heat and sickly nurture of a court, f to the cooling shade, refreshing breezes, and crystal streams, which reading, meditation, and argument sup- ply, our nobility, of those times, became settled in a soil and climate fit for the growth of piety, morality, patriotism, and sound learning; and indeed their improvement was soon evidenced by the decay of that aristocratic pride and selfishness for which they had been thentofore remarkable. Early, therefore, in the seventeenth century, we perceive them discovering an interest for the welfare of their fellow-countrymen in inferior stations; who. on the other hand, became civilised and orderly in the vicinity of their great neigh- Historians, generally, arc either not sufficiently acquainted with these truths, or they, knavishly, gloss the subject over as well as they can ; - but, the fact is, that under tlio Tudors a license from the crown was necessary to enable a man to keep on his cap or a woman her hat— to go a journey to embattle a mansion— to wear a beard -or even to worship the Creator where and when they pleased. Besides which, their property — nay even their very children, might be taken from them by these despots. See hyson's M. U. vol. i, ]>. 600. Centleuaan's Mag. for 181:5, p. Ms, 418, &c. Ellis's Letters, vol. 2, p. 300. The Patent ltolls ; and Ky liter's Feeders, Ch. post. p. 31. A fine Constitution truly ! t Dr. Whitaker, even, remarks as follows : "I urn not rare that increased facility of access to the Capital i-; a national benefit." History of Craven, \>. 202. bours, participated in their rural sports, and were enriched by their munificence. Know- ledge was henceforth evidently upon the advance — it created a spirit of adven tun the parent of commerce, which be{ opulence. The country too became improved by the many capacious mansions which about this period were erected, and enriched by the wealth which promoted industry under ever} form. Thus was pr< rperty acquired and diffused through society. A middle and intelligent gentry appeared in the land, who soon dis- covered that they had something to achieve; for manly feelings now pervaded the bulk of the community, and the dominion of civil and ecclesiastical tyranny became equally insup- portable. The impostures of the Romish, and superfluous formalities of the Protestant Church had been successfully unveiled to them, and they now also discovered thecheal of a rapacious and arbitrary J government. And thus, when we consider the progress which literature had made, the spirit of the age — but, above all, the ACTS of Charles's Government, we can well account for the conduct of our Republican ancestors, and especially for that of Thomas Viscount Savile, Earl of Sussex. Whatever may be the feelings of those who, as regardless of virtue and talent as of the glory and welfare of their country, can only bestow their flatteries on the powers that be. I, for one of a family devoted to Liberal and patriotic principles for many generations, am wont to cast a reverential eye upon that period when England was most formidable abroad — most flourishing and happy at home; and with ineffable contempt for those time-servers who have reviled Cromwell and his Government, 1 am proud to declare my particular admiration of them both. Except indeed for that restless ambition by which the latter was distinguished, the Pro- tector was. indeed, to England what Napoleon was to France; and. in a purer and more enlightened age than the present, 1 have do ; The Language even held to royalty, before the I """"Aft wealth times, was of the most abject, degrading, and eon temptible kind, and, of itself. thOWl 01 106 nature of the antecedent government* On one [occasion the great people told Elisabeth thai they expostulated " not In reapeot of eelf will, stoutness, or striving agalnsl your Majesty, for we are but oanei mortul ant pullees' (1 dead dogs or m parlson, And the ame or! ot teptllei (conquered ilaves) afterwards told James the Lai thai the] (the people) were but "the i.ieath of hie nostrils 1 1 ! Hani more inch Lnsta might be adduced Bee, for Instance, Rapine, roL 2, p i. :.. fa AJchseoL vol. 20, p. 21, 847, 249 . rol. i". p from p, 964 to 976. so. Even the i>uk<- of Buckingham in 1616, hunting with Jamei rode before him bareheaded in the nrintei tlmi KlUai i.-u- 1 8e< ond Sexl rol ' ; | 22 doubt that the administration of these illus- trious § legislators and heroes will be a favourite subject with the historian, the orator, and the poet. As applicable, however, to the period material to this history, and to which 1 am referring, I shall here insert, in the eloquent Language of the one. what appears to mc so correct, and so remarkably allusive to the rise of the other, as to deserve an everlasting memorial : first only, premising, that from the inadequate representation of the people of England in Parliament — from the corruption, jealousies, and factions of the Commons' -house, anterior to the Protectorate,! those advantages did not accrue to the nation which had naturally been expected from Republican councils ; and that, in fact, a strong Government, with a chief magistrate at its head, and all the energies of the nation at his disposal, was as necessary to England in 1650, as a Dictator^ was to Home for the salvation of its Republic. But the causes of this change in the views of our forefathers is so exactly described in the memoirs alluded to, that, as a most valuable commentary, I here present it. " "When lamentable weakness and endless versatility," says the great Napoleon, w * are manifested in the councils of a government. AVhen an administration yielding by turns to the influence of every opposing party, and going on from day to day without any fixed plan or determined system has shewn its utter insufficiency ; and when the most moderate citizens are obliged to confess that they are without a government. AVhen rulers, insigni- ficant* at home, have shamefully brought on their country the contempt of foreigners (the greatest of injuries in the eyes of a proud people), a vague uneasiness spreads through society. Agitated by the instincts of self- preservation it looks into its own resources, and seeks for some one able to save it from destruction. " A populous nation always possesses this tutelary genius in its own bosom, though he may sometimes be tardy in his appearance.f § I allude especially to the code Napoleon, and what .Mr. Butler (an excellent authority) says in his " Reminiscences." Halifax, Leeds, and Manchester were represented in Oliver's time Bm Watson's History of Halifax. •J Adams's Antiquities, p. 162. Hook, <\x. Thus was Largius created. * This may be applied to the Stuarts, hut certainly not to the long Parliament. Godwin's Commonwealth, vol. 4, p. 81, &c. t There cannot be a doubt, I think, who it was that Napoleon thought on when he dictated this remarkable passage. Indeed, Cromwell appears to ha\e been the frequent It is nol indeed, sufficient for him to exist — lie must be known to others, and he must know himself.^ Until then all endeavours are vain. The inertness of the multitude is the protection of the nominal government. But let the Deliverer, — so impatiently expected, give a proof of his existence, and the nation instinctively acknowledges, and calls upon him. All obstacles vanish at his approach, and a great people, thronging round his steps, seem exultingly to proclaim— THIS IS TILE MAX." Such was the state of the public mind in England when the Lease of Morley Old Chapel and its premises was granted by the Earl of Sussex. The Civil War between Charles and the Parliament had raged for nine years, but the " tutelary Genius" of the nation had some time appeared, and had given ample proofs of his existence. Before his rise the Republicans had been officered, in, chief, by the nobility, whose natural bias towards royalty made them, generally, luke- warm, vaccillating, and irresolute, and dis- couraged their followers. Although the men had some good intentions, and a high sense of honour according to the principles of ancient chivalry, they were no Patriots, but seem rather to have contended for a limited des- potism than for absolute freedom. But a champion of another sort at length stood forth, and the people appear to have instinc- tively acknowledged § him. Fighting for victory, and not for compromise — for freedom, and not for a partial reform — for the real interests of a great nation, and not for the power of a corrupt oligarchy, he kindled such an enthusiasm in the army as made it invin- cible. At the period of which I write he had just gained the wonderful victory at Dunbar in Scotland, on his auspicious third of Sep- tember; the rumour of which, for reasons hereafter to be related, would quickly arrive at Morley, % and would as certainly be pro- ductive of great rejoicing. It henceforth became easy to foresee the important changes subject of his conversation, and perhaps even of his imitation. See Mr. O'Meara's Work, vol. 2, p. 34 — 60, Sec. Memoirs by Courgaud, vol. 1, p. T>3. { This is manifested by a conversation between Cromwell and Whitlock. which the latter has recorded. See also Memoirs of O. Cromwell, by Oliver Cromwell, Esq., vol. 2, p. 219. Godwin'i Commonwealth, vol 4, p. 16, ic. § This 1 shall make, as I think, pretty evident in another Work, and that by something more than mere assertion. See Appx. No. 4. •J An interesting Tale relating to this passage shall be here- after introduced. — From several concurrent circumstances, I have always believed that the Lease of Morley Chapel was procured by the Influence of those who were with Cromwell at Dunbar. 23 which were to happen in Church and State throughout the land ; and. in consequence, it is certain that the Earl of Sussex would be induced to grant the Lease in question, as well from political, as conscientious, motives. But — before I say more of Cromwell — as the history of Thomas Lord Viscount Savile, Earl of Sussex, and of the times in which he lived is nearly connected with my design in this work, 1 must present the reader with a sketch of it; especially as no connected account of him has ever been laid before the public. This nobleman was a younger son of Sir John Savile, of Howley, who. during the reign of James the 1st. had been a powerful leader in the House of Commons, — a zealous opponent of the court party, and what is singular (perhaps unprecedented) one who was advanced to the rank of Comptroller of the Household, on account of his parlia- mentary talents, and opposition to the royal measures. || He appears to have continued attached to the court for some years after the accession of Charles, and throughout that period in which the Earl of Strafford and his friend Sir George Radcliffe were on the other side. But. whatever were the sentiments of Sir John Savile. in civil or religious concerns, he was ever opposed to Lord Strafford. II.' was, indeed, as he was styled, the " hereditary enemy of the House of Wentworth ;" and Strafford, in his letters, often makes mention of this enmity towards himself, in one passage contemptuously calling him " Old Howley" Towards Radcliffe also. Sir John appear- to have indulged the same spirit and on the same account — they were rivals in politics — and this produced a rupture between two families which had. for some generations, l>een on terms of the closes! friendship.** 11 was not, however, long after Charles*- acces- sion that Strafford and Radcliffe went over to the court party, and the, then newly made Baron of Pontefraci (probably for his political integrity) was disgraced. Of this elevation of Strafford and disgusl of Savile, Lord Clarendon in his jf history of, whal he calls, II WhitclocL s Memorial. Hume. Radcliffe's Letters, &c •• It appears that Nicholas Radcliffe, the father fof Sir Ccorg*. by his will bequeathed "to sir John Savile, of Howler, Knyght, one Sylvcr » upjie called a Tanl desiring him to have » favorable care over his Children." Alas! *\a< '. that party spiri-, <»• a difference in sentiment (of whatever kind) should occasion men to forget the most solemn obligations, and plainest precepts of Christianity! See UadclirTe's Letters. H To form a correct judgment of t lie character and credl bility of this Lord Clarendon, *ce Brodee's excellent " History "the rebellion." writes thus : — •■ His (i.e. Strafford's) first inclinations and addresses to the court were only to establish his great- ness in the country, where he apprehended some acts of power from the Lord Savile, who had been his rival always there, and of late, had strengthened himself by being made a Privy Counsellor and officer at court ; but his first attempt- were bo prosperous, that be contented not himself with being secure from that Lord's power in the country, but rested not until he had bereaved him of all power and place at court ; and so sent him down a most abject and disconsolate old man into his country, where he was to have the superin- tending over him. by getting himself at that time made Lord President of the North." Thus were the tables turned, as to these politicians, about the year 1628. Now, as Strafford was an enemy to the Puritans or Presbyterians, a sect or denomination to which Lord Savile unquestionably belonged; and as the disputes of the times were, a- yt t. much more of a religious, than political com- plexion, it is obvious thai his lordship would view the preferment of this new favourite of royalty with peculiar displeasure on every account ; ami that after his death, in 1680, his sou and our patron, Thomas Lord Viscount Savile. would be opposed to the court party, at least until 1641, when the ruin of its leader was accomplished, and Strafford died upon the scaffold. It is little known, but the fact seems indisputable, that this Lord Savile contributed more to bring about these events than any other person iii the kingdom; yet, as the means which he employed cannot be justified, he seems enti- tled, individually, to little credit for Buch an act of service t<> his country. It appears that in l<;;;'.» the Scots had risen in arms against Charles, and that. \<>\- a time, he had contrived to appease them : but in the year foil. .win--, finding that treaties were little binding upon a man of his perfidious character, and that his stipulations and assurances were only mad. time and effectuate bis despotic designs, then again assembled an army, and marched int.. England as far .-is Durham. At this time the King's affairs were so prosperous that he treated, with equal haughtiness the remonstrance of hi- BUbjectS, generally, and many of his of thi mpire, \<>i idwia'i History ol the < ommonwcalth, and the Introdvetorv chanter Fox's Historical Work, p SM English nobility in particular, who were equally «>!Yciir t he ] >r< >gress of the Scots was only arrested by the treaty at Ripon ; and, from the subse- quent continuance of their army in England, we may trace the downfall of Strafford — the t riumph of the Republican cause — the destruc- tion of Charles, and the rise of the Common- wealth. At the commencement of the Civil War, it is manifest that Lord Savile, with a large portion of the chief nobility, was continually hovering around the seat of royalty,! and using his best endeavours to bring Charles to mild and reasonable measures. They seem to have taken a middle course between the principles of civil liberty and the old despotism, luil with a strong bias towards the latter, as is very natural with an hereditary aristocracy ; for though they saw, with grief, that the King's councils were governed by an alien Queen, a popish faction, and inveterate enemies, yet they adhered to the side of loyally with an amazing obstinacy; nor were they sensible of their folly until by the contempt and haired of that party they were made to smart for it. Desirous, however, to avert the impending calamities of the limes, these nobles, to the Dumber of forty, with Lord Savile in the train, surrounded the King at York, and offered liim their services; and in May I G 42, published a strong declaration in his favour, from thence they appear to have followed him to Oxford; nor was i( Bum el says, " The Lord Savile's forgery came t<» be die ■ i The King knew It, and ye1 be was brought after- u i liim and advance him to be Earl of Sussex. The King pressed wj uncle to deliver him the letter, who upon in • oath i and, nol knowing « lial might i» madeol it hecutoul everj jubscription and sent it to t i j ' - person for whom it was rorged. The Imitation was so that even mana oon as he saw bis band Bimplj bj acknowledged he could not have denied it.' Own vol i p. 42 W elwood'a Edema, p. s:j. Hrake Hi ton ol Jfork, p. 150, until 1645 that some of them were awakened to a sense of duty to their country. Among the number of these we find the Lord Savile, who by the artful and perfidious monarch had been created Earl of Sussex in the preceding year, by way of cloak to the lurking- enmity which rankled in his heart,J and for which it is easy to account. Besides the hostility of his lordship to the Earl of Strafford. Arch- bishop Laud, and the Catholics, — he was a Presbyterian in religion, and for a limited monarchy in his polities ; and these were un- pardonable crimes in the mind of Charles. Sussex at length became aware of this, and, in consequence, on the 18th or 19th of March. 1644-5, on the curious pretence J of repairing to the councils of the Queen, he left his royal master, and threw himself into the arms of the parliament. On his arrival, however, in London, he was arrested, examined by a committee of the lords touching- the grounds of his coming in, and committed into custody ; and by an order of parliament of the same month stating, "that he had not given any satisfaction for his coming from Oxford, but rather many grounds of suspicion that he came to do ill offices;'' he was ordered wi to depart the city and all other the parliamentary quarters and garrisons, and betake himself to the King, or wherever else he pleased in one week ; or, in default thereof, to be proceeded against as adhering to the enemy. § It will be seen by an extract from Dr. Whitaker's History of Leeds, to be found in a subsequent page of this work, that his lordship had, but a short time before his desertion of Charles, being urging his claims to a recompense or satisfaction for the plunder and damage done by the Royalist forces, when in 1043 they broke into and ransacked his splendid mansion of Howley Hall; and it will also be perceived, by the language of the answer to his petition, that the king and his council had great doubts whether these spoils were to be regarded of " RebeVs Goods'' or no/. upon which the question of compensation entirely hinged. Being far from being satis- lied with Lord Savile, on some account or other, the reply which he received, if not an evasive one, was. certainly, of such a nature as left the matter undecided until that fad ; "The King's cabinet opened," Ac. See a curious letter in this collection, p. 12, letter 18. As to tliis work, see Gentle- man's Magazine, vol. t>o\ p. (> : i~>. s Whitelock's Memorial. I am convinced from this and other circumstances thai there was much treachery in the Commons, and great need tor such a man as Cromwell before lie Interposed materially. 35 could be ascertained ; disappointed, therefore, in his hopes of redress, it is probable that from this "cavalier" treatment alone, the Earl of Sussex at once discovered the feeling of the court party towards liiraself, and the motive it had in conferring upon him the cheap gewgaw of an empty title; and that. in revenge for the artifice, as well as for the reasons before stated, he left Oxford with a fixed resolution to take up arms on the side of the Parliament. However this may be, it appears, thai on the 22nd of the month following, Lord Savile made his peace with the Parliament by taking', along with four other noblemen, the oaths prescribed for such as joined that side. before .the commissioners of the great seal ; and on the 1st of July we find him coming forward with an accusation against Hollis and Whitlock, two celebrated members, charging them with being " well affected towards the King and his cause." Whitlock (who relates the incident, which, as he pretends, gave rise to this impeachment) observes, that ; * it was a contrivance of some of the Presbyterian part]) to take him and Hollis out of the way, that the Lord Savile. newly revolted from the King, charged them of high treason to the Parliament — an allega- tion very singular indeed, as Hollis ^vas accounted the head of that very party, and which only shews what a "Moles non bene junctarum rerum, concordia discors," this Republic must have been, as I have before intimated — yet, notwithstanding the plausible tale of Whitlock, I am thoroughly satisfied, from the subsequent conduct of Hollis* in particular, that the charge was not ill-founded, although it was not so considered by the Commons' -house ; and although, in conse- quence thereof, Lord Sussex was lodged in the Tower, and in October, lG4fi. was obliged to purchase his liberty at a price greatly ex- ceeding a thousand pound-. What became of Lord Sussex subsequent to 1()KI. and whether he took any active part in public affairs — when he died — or where lie was buried, ii would now he very difficult, if not impossible, to discover. My own con- jecture, formed upon various circumstances is, that he retired, altogether, from public lite. This fellow, who was made a lord " for hi* merits " at the restoration, had the baseness to a why//, that he wanted courage, A specimen of Impudence whicl completely without a parallel, until the same thii 0( Napoleon in our times. Sec, moreover, Godwin's Com monwealth. vol. 1, p, 387. Gentleman'- Biagaiine f"i" 1821, p 800, vvc. and resided at. — enlarged and beautified his noble mansion at Sowley, between this p and that of his death; which probably hap- pened before 1663, if no1 1660, whei lordship would be about sixty or seventy years of age, if he lived to see that unfor- tunate year. But I think it most likely that he died sometime about -'the restorati< and that he was interred somewhere abroad, or in the smith of England ; for he was, evidently, not buried at Batley, Thonihill, Aekworth. or Methley. When this narrative, however, with that of the treatment which his lordship experienced at Oxford, is coupled with a recollection of the public feeling, from U',11 to 1650 esp ally, it will be readily perceived that the Lease by him --ranted to the Trust© Morley Old Chapel, was executed in favour of the dissenting interest. — Not for the en- couragement of the Papist^ mi- Semi-Papists Of those days, yeleped •• Protestants," but that of Puritan pastors. — Nol for the support of a ."reading," but of a "preachii ministry. Episcopacy was, in poinl of Fact, abolished at this time, and the sister church, if not deprived of its venom, was disarmed of it- sting, when Cromwell, the "tutelary Genius " of England, an Since Morley and the neighbouring * illages have to date the o muneneeiiieiit of their prosperity,! and their inhabitants were assuredly the most happy J under the popular and paternal government of this illustrious man. appropriately called --the Protector of the Commonwealth of England," 1 cannol refrain from paying to his shade the ]><><•)■ tribute of my individual homage; and more especially as I perceive that in almosl every species of writ in- 1 at the present day his character is defamed. Put. before 1 do this act of strict justice, 1 would remark it a- a singular thin-- (on a superficial view) that two of the greatest of our English rulers should have been the mosl calumniated of all others. — l mean our third § Richard and ( lliver Cromwell. It ha- been the siujrular misfortui t one of tin: Axttulea of Impeachment against W Charles's bishops and favourites, was iii.it. "he i .ii, I of ill K ■ y of whom using employed one bun red p Holland, jLc win re thej u I up and tin the ' hindrance «'f trade, and Impoverishing the peopi< "i this kingdom." Wl . Yoi tan Is U id ol happiness, the answ " Ui I but those were < :i .ii this would i e insult to aa intelligent ■• 26 Richard, and is the best excuse for many historians, that he lived just within the penumbra of an age — barbarous and turbu- lent, and which was scarcely touched by the first beams of science — an age in which the most wary might be misled by the deceitful glare of those wandering lights which the monkish chroniclers, with their poor manu- scripts, afford us. Happily, however, for the sons of literature, by a train of fortunate occurrences, the torch of truth has been brought before this »ra by an indefatigable and • impartial inquirers; and we now contemplate through the awful and mysterious gloom, not a crooked tyrant and atrocious murderer, but a magnanimous, just, and wise, sovereign, supplanted by the vilest and meanest usurper of whom history makes mention, and whose execrable family retained a crown through his impostures and falsehoods. Talk of "usurpers" and tyrants indeed! but where in all our annals are we to find such an impudent usurpation and insufferable despotism as that of the House of Tudor. There was. however, some shadow of an excuse for the writers who have blackened Richard out of compliment to these "Pre- tenders;" for so artfully had the first of them contrived to hoodwink the people, and transfer his own crimes to his unfortunate rival, that some who have perpetuated his libels may have erred through ignorance, and their apology must be that they lived in a gloomy and deceptive age. But, what shall be said for those who, to please the House of Stuart, or carry favour even in later times. have had the meanness and effrontery to abuse Cromwell ? The nrnst rancorous enemies which the Protector ever had. have been compelled to acknowledge, however reluctantly, the sur- prising talents of the man, and the consum- mate wisdom of his policy. He called to his councils the wisest and mosl upright men in the nation, and, the "career being open to merit," he preferred every one accordingly. [Ie caused justice in be administered with ? it is vi'iv singular, bul the fact is, that almost everything we know for certain truth, respecting Richard, redounds to his honour. He stood high in tin- estimation of his <>wn family . and higher, apparently, with his brother's widow than king Henrj her son in law, Be was exceedingly beloved bj the people ol Yorkshire. See Drake's Vorkand Hall Lth u f ic. \iiinv nf Mm- calumnies published against him are disproved bj Lord Oxford and man] others; asto the resl ,i,,. s me ridiculous ami Incredible Bee Bayley's Tower of i ,, ,'„!,,,, ttapin, Etc, Ellis's Letters Second Series, \<>\. L, p. L22. Hew men ard opinions change with tunes and circum ,,„,,,-, hut in Speed England p, 621 singular ability. He used the public money with frugality, and employed it to the best advantage. " He had a zeal for trade and commerce beyond all his predecessors,' ' and it flourished greatly under his sway.*" Tie wasagenerous friend to learned and goodf men — the refuge of persecuted! Protestants abroad, and the guardian of his poorest subjects at home. His liberality and tolera- tion embraced even the Jew. He made no. invidious distinctions between one class of subjects and another; and none were mol- ested, but such as molested the government. lie suppressed no institutions but such as were, in his times at least, generally odious, and considered as highly dangerous to British liberty. He provided for the support of worthy pastors of various tenets — abolished pluralities — and exacted a proper attention to ministerial duties.|| He bestowed thousands yearly out of his own purse, on private charities. Not one of his relations was materially enriched by his elevation ; and as to Cromwell himself, he died poor. Indeed the same thing may be said of Pym and other chiefs of the Republic — they died poor ! — for it was not wealth but freedom which they sought. § Such being the character of Cromwell, and such the popularity and splendour of his ad- ministration, under circumstances the most difficult, perplexing", and dangerous of any with which an individual was ever encom- passed on assuming the reins of Government, it is natural to inquire into the motives of those who have exhibited so much acrimony Neale's History, &c> Ellis's Letters, Second Series, vol. 3. p. 380 se his conduct to Archbishop Usher. To niddle, and innumerable others. Burton's Diary, vol. 2, p, 314, &c. ; vol. 4, p. 475. | See a fine anecdote in Chandler's History of l'ersecution, p 174. Harris, p. 38. Burnet, vol' 1, p. 107-8. Godwin, vol. 4, p. 38, &c. § See character of freton in Ludlow's Memoirs. Godwin. kc. Or, Mr. Cromwell's .Memoirs, vol. 2, p. 209, % " I have sometimes," says Bolingbroke, " represented to myself the vulgar, who are accidentiy distinguished by the title of lvinc and subject, of lonl and vassal, of nobleman and peasant, and the few, who are distinguished by nature so essentially from the herd of mankind that (figure apart) they seem to be <>f another species. The former loiter or trifle away their whole time : and their presence, or their absense, would be equally unperceived, if caprice or accident did not raise them often to stations wherein their stupidity or their vices make them a public misfortune. The latter come into the world, at hast continue in it, after the effects of surprise and Inexperience are over, lih men who are sent upon more im- portant errands." " Great people and champions," says Luther, "are special gifts of Odd whom he givetb and prcserveth ; they carry their business and achieve greal nets, not with vain imaginations and cold and Bleep] cogitations, but are specially moved there 1 unto and driven on by God. and bo do accomplish their course Mud acts. < olloquia, oh. ,;:; . p. 188, towards him, and so little for those " miser- ables " of the usurping- family of Tudor, and despotic house of Stuart, who have astonished or disgusted the world by their crimes — their tyranny — their profligacy — or their weakness. These motives. I am persuaded, are best accomited for by referring to the basest, and most mischievous passions of the heart. When private individuals, like Cromwell or Napoleon are ordained by Providence to arise amidst the clangour and clash of civil commotions, and after composing a distracted state by the power of their mighty genius, to receive a tributary homage in the admiration of neighbouring countries, and enthusiasm of their own ; they come arrayed with a majesty which mocks the pageantry of common form, and pours contempt on its factitious grandeur. But, when liberal feelings and a generous philantropy, as in the instance of Cromwell, are happily associated with talents of the first order, we behold, indeed, pourtrayed to the life, that fine character which poets and philosophers have delighted to feign without ever expecting' to see it realized. Yet, though contemplative and impartial men will ever be captivated by native dignity and intrinsic ex- cellence,^ far different will be the feelings of the selfish, the envious, and the corrupt, for the most obvious reasons. " The 1 [ercules i >f reform will cleanse the Augaan stable of abuses" — abolish monopolies — discard favi wr- ites— expose frauds, surpass his predecessors in virtue and talent, and establish a govern- ment on the firm basis of justice and policy. In the vocabulary, therefore, of his enemies. the reformer will be a "tyrant" — the phil- antopist a " hypocrite, " and the man of the people, a u usurper." His character — his genius — his design, nay, even his besl act i< >ns will all be misrepresented, and invective and falsehood will be substituted for argument and truth. Can we wonder at this, when we con- sider the institutions and state of society in most countries, and how natural it is, that in proportion as the interests, privileges, and influence of certain classes is diminished, made subordinate to the public welfare, or even threatened their jealousy should be roused, their envy excited, and their malice exasperated ? At the service of these classes, in most European countries, there is always ready a set of men of whom it may confidently be asserted that, if the magnitude of crime is to be estimated by a regard of consequences, it is theirs which .surpasses every other in turpitude. These are that numerous body of needy scribes ami courtly sycophants who sell their birthright for a mess of pottage — who everlastingly ad\ KJate war- — foment national antipathies — cling to the side of power and wealth — slight the majesty of a great people, and woul I haw mankind, if passible, in the darkness and thraldom of the middle ages. However forward ami accommodating at other seasons, these people had the discretion, if not the modesty, to hide their heads in the time of Cromwell. lie wanted not their services*- he feared not their clamour. But, when the Sovereign of the earth disappeared — when the political horizon became darkened, they returned again to their dirty work. Favoured by the assistance of disappointed zealots, and the easy Credulity of the nation, they proceeded to decry the Protectorate Government with a rancour f towards its chief, exactly proportionate to the grandeur of his talents and \\n' merit of his deeds. It is a melancholy truth, which observation however teaches, that the enmity of had men towards an object of their calumny is often rather increased than diminished by the con- templation of his eminence — nor is this at all surprising. When a man becomes detestable for his profligacy, or contemptible for his imbecility, most people of reflection are, in some measure, averse to him. so that the edge of resentment becomes blunted by his un- popularity, and (of course) degradation. Hut, oh! how much is it sharpened in the other case when he towers above his species, excites their wonder, and extorts their applause. How mortifying, then, the thought, thai a private gentleman, without the influence of high station, of wealth, patronage, con- nexions, "i foreign alliances, should have vanquished warriors, instructed legislators, dazzled the eves and won the hearts of See an instance in the rase of Waller. Cromwell, how- i \n, bad no want of psnegyristi In hi> time Sea Bapin and others, and the "addressers," the "life and fortune " men, Brit paid their ednlatlona to Mm. "Cromwell, however, had no want of panegyrists to cele- brate his memory, hut many of them contemptibly And meanly turned roiui'l with the times ; ami then, most dbi- Raoefnllj to themselves, equally vilified and ahiucd it " Rapin Mi also, Harris, p. 370. t One of the Yilcst fellows of this -$..rt was Heath, respecting whom see a note to burton's Ihary. vol ::, p IM Another of them wai Bates, author of the " Rlenchui Mottuun," Ac. Roger i. Estrange, John Birkenhead, and raob ai wrote news* papers to delude the public are well known HODDS. author «,f the " Behemoth." J <>kc of " the Detection." with I'urson'a Berlin, and Parker, and Pool < towley, were >>f the same btwr SoeftlSO Noble, vol. 1. p. J3t-as^. •_•« millions — conciliated hostile pari ies — become, in fact, the Sovereign of Europe, by the terror of his name alone; and yet should have dis- played a benevolence and humility — a regard for morals, and zeal for religion, Buch as we shall vainly look for in the history of the legitimates, — How mortifying, 1 say. is this! As comparisons are often odious, and the more so as they become dangerous, and ye1 are often forced upon mankind by a singular contrast ; and as hard names and illiberal surmises are a species of coin which, however light, will generally pass for much more than solid arguments and stubborn facts ; the wily partisans of the Stuart dynasty were fully aware that the impending evils of that mis- chief were only to be averted by these fallacies — they dealt them out, therefore, unsparingly — and from that period it has been the craft of men of like principles, by such means, to assail the reputation of Oliver Cromwell. — Yet, (so powerful is the light of truth!) the splendour of his fame has pierced the mists of succeeding times, and will continue to stream through future ages, with an increas- ing and lasting brilliancy. It is not, however, the mere lustre of the protectorate of Cromwell, though that is sufficiently provoking, but the principles and precedent by him established, which have excited the alarm of the great, and anger of the corrupt ; — their hatred, therefore, it must ever be remembered, is mainly attributable to those principles of which he was the wonder- ful — the successful champion. In that momentous contest — the Civil War — we cannot fail to discern one grand peculiarity which renders it memorable beyond all the preceding contests of which we read ; I mean the clash of speculative differences, both in religion and politics, which gave it birth, and supplied such fearful matter for the work of destruction as were thentofore un- known. It was (as a writer on the French Revolution remarks) "a war of l principles " which, operating upon the understandings and passions of men in an unprecedented degree, convulsed the nation to Its utmost limits." In the disputes of former ages, however the belligerent chiefs might be affected, there was little to interesl the bulk of the community, or excite its energies. — Originating in the caprice of a despot — the pride of his minions, or the turbulence of his uobles — the feudal slave or stupid hireling was little concerned for the final issue, But, in the great Civil War, besides that fortune and freedom was at the stake, there was a striking discordancy between the opinions and institutions of society. On the one side, we perceive the ardour of reform — on the other side, the jealousy of power. On this hand, the longings for improvement — on that, the fear of change. A contempt for antiquated superstitions by the former — a singular attach- ment to them by the latter. \\ natever, in short, Avas most calculated to stir up the strife and hatred of parties were the dreadful elements of this long- and furious contest, in which the very ties of marriage and of kin died, i as well as of country, were for- gotten. But, to return again to the history of our Chapel — since the Earl of Sussex was evidently a dissenter of the Presbyterian class, and the Protector belonged to the Independents^ it seems unlikely that the endowment of this Chapel by the former, could have been in- tended merely to raise himself in the favour of the latter. He, doubtless, well knew the equitable and tolerant character of the rising chieftain — how little he valued the particular advancement of a sect, compared with the general encouragement of religion and morals, and how little he sought the co-operation of a party, whether in black, buff,* yellow, or blue, compared with the attainment of a deserved popularity — the idol of his heart. Sussex, in this instance, was evidently swayed by views and inclinations which, though commendable, were but narrow compared with those which marked the course of his great contemporary. At least the miserable pre- judices and crooked policy of the Presbyte- rians, formed a striking contrast to the liberal, philanthropic, and generous conduct of their enlightened governor. The persons to whom this Earl of Sussex conveyed our Chapel premises "in Trust" were Edwardf Birtby, of Scholecroft — Thomas Otes, John Reyner, William Ward, John Crowther, and Thomas Greatheed, of Morley — John Smith, William Barber, and I Seo, especially, a speech of General Lambert, in Burton's Diary, vol. 3, p. 187. § Newton is said at one time to have believed in astrology. Bacon in the transmutation of metals. Dr. Johnson in ghosts and apparitions. Lord Halo in witchcraft. Napoleon in destiny. Locke delighted in romances,— and Cromwell in the reveries of Calvin ! ! ! What is man, even when in intellect but a little lower the angels I * The military uniform was not then scarlot as it is now— this colour being with blue (if my memory serves me) first introduced in George the lst's reign. t Buried at Batloy, April Oth. 1684. See Regv. 2H "Joshua Grtatheed" of Gildersome, and Robert Paulden and William Burnhill, of Churwell ; whoso names 1 mention, because two of them, at least, were celebrated characters in their days, and all of them seem to have been men of much consequence in this vicinity. Otes (whose name I spell as it appears, not only in the Trust Deed, but in his own hand writing- in various documents La my possession) was one of the chiefs in the " Farnley Wood Plot," in 1663. To this date I must direct the particular attention of my readers, as it stands connected with something very curious in this hist >ry. The other Trustee to whom 1 allude is. Joshua Greatheed. who resided nearly opposite to the place where- Gildersome Chapel now stands. At the commencement of the Civil "War he was a gentleman of small estate, but of high character hereabouts for patriotism and bravery. Many a dreadful blow did this intrepid warrior deal out upon the Royalists, at the Battle of Adwalton Moor, as I have gathered from tradition, and as the swords of the family seem to indicate. He was about 28 years of age at the time of the fight ; and upon this field he laid the foundation of his fortune, his military reputation, and his rank. From this Republican, on the paternal side, I am descended, and I have now before me the commission given him by Lord Fairfax, whereby he was, in January Kilt (about six months after the battle), promoted to be major of a regiment of foot commanded by Col. Richard Thornton ; after which, and especially after the death of his colonel (who probably fell either on Marstonf Moor or before Pontefract§ Castle), he appears to have been advanced. At all events, his military fame increased with his years; for he was, long afterwards, selected by the Republicans of these parts to be their General for the West Riding. And in that character he would, doubtless, have appeared, had not an ill arranged plan miscarried, owing to the treachery of some who were privy to it. Indeed, he had risen so far as to have attained the honour of being Lieut. Col. under General Lambert prior to "the restoration." \\ bother the major || was hearty in the conspiracy or not, he was at leasl privy to it. as were I See Murcurius Rusticus or Boothroyd's Historv of l'onte- fract, p. 182. ft See Mercurius A aliens, p. 140. II Lord Clarendon, with his usual disregard to truth, has aiserted that the appointment of Major General! over t lie counties, brought an incredible accession of wealth into Cromwell's coffers. Bishop Warburton replies as follows :— evidently most of the principal DiaseLten and their Pastora hereabouts: having h goaded to rebelli »n by the ingratitude, per- fidy, and cruelty of Charles the 2nd, par- ticularly in his " act of uniformity,*' passed in the preceding year. This conspii though little noticed in our general hisfc was the common I >pic rsation i century, perhaps, after it- failure, among our neighbouring villagers, and is -till called the "Farnley \Vood PI >1 :" of which, for evident reasons, 1 shall set down all the intelligence that, with much industry, I have gleaned. "On the 12th of October, 1663," says the memorandum of an ancestor of mine, "a little before midnight, the following c in- spirators did actually meet at a place called * i he Trench.' in Farnley Wood, viz. : — Captain Thomas Oates, Ralph Oates, his son — Joshua Cardmaker, alias Asquith, alias Sparling, Luke Lund. John Ellis, William Westerman, John Possard (servant of Abra- ham Dawson, who lent him a horso), and William Tolson, all of Morley. John Nettle- ton and John Xettleton, jun.. both of Dun- ningley-Joseph Crowther, Timothy Crowther, William Dickinson, Thomas Westerman, and Edward Webster, all o( G-ildersome — Robert Oldred, of Dewsbury, and Richard Oldred, commonly called -the Devil* of Dewsbury 1 — Israel Rhodes, of Woodkirk — lohn Lac ck, of Bradford — Robert Scott, of Alverthorpe, and John Holdsworth, of churwell. Being all surprised at thesmallness of their number, they made but a short stay. and. perceiving no more coming-, Captain Oates desired them t ) return home, or shift themselves as they could." Bishop Bumet alluding to this plot, under date of 1663, proceeds as follows: "The Commonwealth men," says he. "wen- now thinking that they saw the stream of the nation turning against the court, and upon that they were meeting, and laying plots to restore the lost game. One of these being •• This i-> absolutely false, ai appeeri by the letters of th* I Major G ■ -lUvtion ol Thurloe'g papers; whereby it appears thai the mi rtrnMiAii did, :it must, only rapport the Ol * raise 1 troops which t ho Major t rem i t" t liable them to put their authority in eseooftion " Btt Note to Burton's l)i;iry, vol. 1, p. 1 1 " «I Formerly many pa •\llci"., p 67. The Duke of Norfolk also swore — " By aasa Mi More il Ls perilous striving with princes "•— " By God's body Mr. .Merc' " indignatic Principis Mora est. [bid, ! \ v bal B subject is hero for reflection ! ! ! i ciii, the valuables, and " Curiosities in literature. Sec appendix, note 1. the road from Leeds, and as. it is certain, he was taken and executed. These old people, of the name of Batley, could perfectly recol- lect their forefathers often talking about "Old Oites" (according- to the village pronuncia- tion, and that of our ancient Englishf) and together with one Elizabeth Broadbent, they remembered hearing of his excellent character both as a teacher and a neighbour, with the general lamentation which ensued upon his death; but nobody has had the thought to transmit any written account of him to posterity, so that it has fallen to my lot, as to one "bom out of due time," to have the dying embers of a long tradition to stir up, k ing able to add no more than, that he lived a1 an old house in the middle of the village, at present occupied by Mr. Robert Smithies, a: tenant to the Earl of Dartmouth. From the descendants of John, or (as lie is called by Drake) Samuel Ellis, I learn that he als( > had been a soldier and trumpeter in the army of the Parliament — that he had acquired .some real estate, and lived upon it, at or near where Tingley house now stands; and that on his attainder, it was seized by the crown, its owner being hanged, drawn, and quartered. John Fossard, or Forster, "the servant of Abraham Dawson, who lent him a horse," had certainly been induced by his master (the father of an old minister hereafter to be men- tioned) either wholly, or in part, to join in this plot. He had been a cavalry soldier under Fairfax. This faithful servant, it was said, might have saved his own life by the sacrifice of his master's, but he disdained the thoughl ; and, in gratitude for his constancy, his widow and children were almost wholly supported by the Dawsons. Joseph Crowther had been a corporal in the Parliamentary army or under Cromwell. He was commonly called " Corporal Crowther," and to him, when al Morley, the "Agitators resorted," in a house on BanVs-hills, occupied al that period, by Crowther.-, probably of the same family, and si ill in the possession of a descendant. As he does not, seem to have been executed, doubtless, he fled his country, or he turned evidence. 1 have a remarkable chair in my possession which, it is not improbable, the corporal has often sat in, (it if was not. indeed. Ins own) and 1 call it '•Corporal Crowther's Chair," as the dis- covery el* it was accidental and surprising. t Sue Northumberland H William Dickenson, after lying long con- cealed with Atkinson, in coal pits, near Gildersome, came one night late to his own dwelling, and rapping at a window, asked For some shoes and stockings, which having received, he and Atkinson travelled to Lon- don ; but perceiving there a large reward advertised for their apprehension, t hey escaped to Holland.! Atkinson was usually called " Lai way," § in that (age when soubriquets were so common. His posterity may still be found near Gildersome. Respecting the other Confederates who lived hereabouts, I have little to relate. I would merely remark it as a curious incident. that, in my time even, there have been per- sons of the yvvx same names, and living near the very "spots" where their ancestors drew their first breath before the Commonwealth times. What townsman has not heard of the Nettietons, of Dunningley? and how many, like myself, have known Israel Rhodes,|| of Woodkirk? Joshua Asquith, alias Cardmaker, alias Sparling, (from whom, perhaps, we have a descendant of the very same name) seem- like many others, who met at w * the Trench," to have escaped with his life; but whether by flight or not, is uncertain. The great anoes of this man, undoubtedly, look his name from being a maker of cards, used in the dressing of ilax or of wool. Hugh Cardmaker was Trior of St. John Baptist, ;•! Bridgenortb. See Rymer, T. 1. first of Edward l. Archasologia, v. s. p. 157. Of all the persons, however, engaged in this unfortunate enterprise, the character of most interest is thai of .Major Joshua Great- heed, who was committed to York Castle on int of it. and appears to have had a narrow escape ; but as no mention Is made of this plot in the "State Trials," and no infor- mation can he obtained from the office "i" the Clerk of the Arraign- :it York, or from any documenl within my reach, it has happened, thai in all my various endeavours to pry into tin 1 particulars of this gentleman's .-hare in the concern, my curiosity has been baffled. I Charnook, tfarsden, ami most <>f the ": appear t" i> ive Bed to Holland. * n ; ■ thru in most ooniptracie i tin- chief i ■ anpowder Plot, ( tarnei . Ball, and T< - id, :' sailed ," " i ddcorn," and the re i Bnd a Mr. J n H daily) living at Hague Hall, in \< ■:>■>.. Topcll with i i. m | -.',•. ii ,ii md Topllff, were common I Beaten in Uhorlei and Jan rci us. 34 From papers iii my p >ssession it appears that the Major was bora aboul L615, and 1 susped he lost hi- father when he was little more than seven years dt' age. A brother of his (Peter) was an eminent woollen manufac- turer, under the Protectorate, and lived at Morley ; and Thomas (oeathced. one of the first set of Trustees, was probably another brother. 1 find many Families of this name (always spelt Grreatheed) living hereabouts, so far hack as 1588. e. g. Agnes, Nicholas, Sibbil, Robert, Richard, and John, who had a numerous offspring. In early life the Major was married to one Susan, the daughter of a Mr. Ralph Crowther, of Gildersome, a man of some fortune, by which lady he had four sons and three daughters. His eldest son Joshua (whom circumstances incline me to think was deranged or impotent in some way or other) was killed or died unmarried and without issue in 1664, the year next after the plot; and, if I am right as to the person, he was buried at Batley on the 24th of May. His other sons and his three daughters* survived their father, who was certainly living- in 1681, and pro- bably died in 1(5 din of war/' Their aim was not to lix a tyrant or En which respecl tiny resembled Charles 2nd, and his more execrable rufllans. See Harris's Life of Cromwell, p. 100, and other authors, Bv way of contrast see Pepys's, under date of October IS, L004, page 815. | See Hani;, p. 85 .Nellie's Meins. p. 159. llodgsoil - 3 Moms. p. 128, Ruahwflrth, vol. 7, p. 1271, &c, usurper on the throne; nor was it the imperious mandate of such an one that called them to battle. No! It was the voice of their beloved country which drew them from their peaceful abodes and industrious occupa- tions, — it was the dictate of conscience and the love of freedom. The military insignia of the French Revolutionists displayed the ferocity of those monsters, and proclaimed them heathens; the Royalist army of Charles also displayed no symbols indicative of a regard to piety, and the notorious profligacy of that army greatly contributed to its final overthrow. But the Republicans of England, who contended for " a Christian Magistracy " and "a Gospel Ministry" unfurled the ban- ners of tlie cross and inscribed upon them — -The Lord of Eosts,"— "God with us." The other armies, when in camp, exhibited hordes of gamesters, drunkards, and debauchees; but tlie "tents of Israel" contained men whose time was occupied in reading and meditation — In rational intercourse or religious observances. The bulletins of the Atheists attributed every success to an u arm of Beeh;" — the Tyrant and his myrmidons to their boasted "chivalry" or superior discipline ; — but the Sons of Freedom, with humility, ascribed all their victories " to the providence of God." Such soldiers as these the world never saw.* — The mighty Cromwell ! — the - thun- derbolt of war!" — unrivalled in the cabinet, the camp, and the field; -the profound and enterprising Fairfax; — the faithful and in- trepid Lambert — were, individually a hosl of themselves ; and their private characters will appear best by coiitrasl with those of other military chiefs, of whatever age or nation. Whoever considers how few of the Repub- licans, at the commencement of the war. had been inured to arms — how few of their leaders had been bred up in camps, and whal vasl obstacles they had to surmount, will perceive thai the wonders they achieved are solely tO be attributed to their per- dial merits. t their noble sentiments,}; and the Even Clarendon, in a speech to Parliament soon after the Restoration, on the question of disbanding tho Etepubllcan forces, thin describes them : Mis M | •antl tO this measure, yet, let me tell you, no other l'rimv in Europe wouJd be willing to disband such an army an army to which victory is entailed, and which, humanly speaking, could hardly fail of conquest whithersoever It should be Led An arm] Whose order and discipline whose sobriety and Banners whose com i nous and t, rribL on r tht torn Id,' Pai li unenl irj SI I t " They were certainly, "says Bishop Burnett, "th< disciplined, and tin- soberest army th it iii. been known in these latter able to do the functions of an oil.. justice of their cause. And while, I a reflecting mind, the details of similar transac- tions, in the general, will be tedious or pain- ful, the exploits (1 f these illustrious men will be interesting and profitable. To all. how- ever, it must be evident, that whatever portion of liberty their posterity once enjoyed, was wrested from the grasp of power by their manly struggles in the unequal cant When, therefore, in pacing the burial ground of our Chapel. 1 chance t<. cast my eye-- upon those spots where our Republican families are laid, the strain of the sublime Ossian ream me — •• Peace to the BOuls of the heroes — their deeds were great in fight!— lei them ride around me on clouds — let them shew their features in Avar." Amidst our regret at the absence of further information as to Major Greatheed and Cap- tain Oates, in the affair of the conspiracy, it is - ime c insolation that Ave have had pre- served to us the .Memoirs of their contem- porary and friend. Captain Hodgson, of Coley hall, near Hipperholme, written by himself, and which may give us some idea of his associates; and this is the more fortunate, inasmuch as those sapient gentlemen who have favoured the public with this work, have also, kindly, presented us with the Memoirs of a celebrated Royalist of i he hi$pri ■ ..<■ virulent writer of M8S collections, for tin- West Biding, in the Leeds Library, " was condemned by a factious and rebellious party, in «i high eourt of justice, BB0S1 tlie information of one Ralph Waterhouse a v Sly mean fellow and beliea let. or rather basely murdertil.'" Whoever will take the trouble to COBSUlt the state trial*. shall soon And whether th "f " rerj mran fellow" -. suited to the character of Major Waterhouee, or to that of the man who gives him this epltfa i II here Just erre, that Blingsbj ted on the evidence of Cap t. Overton, the governor, and Lieutenant Thompaon, at weU as Of tl Dd that his guilt was manifest Ho attempted to raise a mutiny in Hull larrisoo to seduce the officers there bj proffering commissions from < harles. and. m short, to rekindle the ll:i Bo much for the false- hood about bis being "basely murd • much for tli" a I 'li it people would take bis calumnies " I poll tru . Iwln vol i 86 to pn ciit a contrast i E opposite characters the di advantage of the latter. If so, 1 am conto I i" take them upon the footing oftheir own- atenient, and would beg a perusal of the b ok by any man of candour and liberal educa ion. Tome. I declare, the portrait of the 01 e appears a kind of foil which displays to the besl advantage the beauty of the oilier. It presents a contrast as striking in degree (though not of like kind) a* that of a hideous negro woman with her Hat nose, thick lips, and woolly head, and that of a fair Circassian, or as the darkness of night and the light of day. If to disembodied spirits it is ever per- mitted to become once more interested in the trivial concerns of this transitory life, and the captain conld have framed tlie wish of Job — " that mine adversary had written a book," he would certainly have chosen such a man to guide his pen as was this baronet ; — but I will dismiss the comparison, by merely observ- ing, that the narrative of the one is written with all the phlegm and coldness of a recruit- ing serjeant, while that of the other exhibits the generous, spirited, and patriotic English- man. " When first I put my hand to the Lord's work," says this pious Republican, " I did it not rashly, but had many an hour, day and night to know my way, it being a time the nation was filled with rumours and fears of some bustling between the king and his grand council — the parliament that was called before the rebellion in Ireland ; — and, the first thing I took notice of, the king was gone to Scot- land to settle the service book, but it would not pass according to his mind — and while he was contending with them, news comes to him that the Rebels were up in Ireland, murdering all the Protestants before them, men, women, and children ; at which tidings lie leaves the Scots and returns to his parlia- ment in London; and not being long there, the Scots had raised a considerable army and marched to the borders to vindicate their rights, as they pretended. The king would have had his parliament to have declared them rebels, which they refused, and to have granted money in England to suppress them by force, in which they were shy. At last he raises the train bands and other forces to march towards the borders, and coming to a treaty with the Scots, commissioners were appointed on both sides, and me1 at Etippon, and agreed upon articles; but, not being pleasing a1 COUrt, they were afterwards burnt by the common hangman. Thus, ill humours began to breed through the three nations, and sprung on a pace to a very great height. Papers flew up and down in every place. That dreadful news of Ireland put a damp upon all honest spirits, the common report being of two hundred thousand murdered. Things began to look sadly at home — the Papists grew high — the Protestant party much discouraged. His majesty, with a guard, demands five members out of the house of commons, but was disappointed by reason of their absence that day. It seems he took the huff and withdrew himself, guards and party, to Newmarket, and by degrees to York, to set up the standard at Nottingham, and to lay seige to Hull. " These tilings caused serious thoughts in many, and amongst other things that I read and heard were these following, — namely, that the safety of the people is the supreme law both of nature and nations, and that there was a people before there were rulers and governors set over them ; and when these converted the government laid down by law, into an armed force, then did the people betake themselves to thoughts of reformation. This has been, an old practice whether the government be monarchy, aristocracy, or democracy. The fountain hath been from the agreement of the people,* and that rulers and governors are accountable to the people for their misgovernment, when they transgress the rules and laws by which the people did agree they would be governed — that is, the people assembled in parliaments or chief councils. Now I have found that England never was a pure monarchy, for that is tyranny, but a political monarchy, governed by laws. It had a King, the chiefest officer, one single person, who was compassed with laws above him, being made for him to rule by, and with a necessity of concurrence with Lords and Commons below him for future legislation, power, and authority; and he, at his coronation, swears to rule his people according to those laws. " But, at this time, the breach between the King and Parliament grew wider each day, and preparations were making for war in each plaee. The country people were threatened to have their arms taken from them; and " It was upon such premises as these, as my Tracts, &c., shew, that the Republicans of the seventeenth century, built their incontrovertible arguments. The slavish maxims of dark ages and despotic times and governments, they regarded with Ineffable contempt. that noise of the dreadful massacre in Ireland, startled many, an 1 constrained them to whet their swords', and prepare such instruments as they could to defend themselves; which was done by many that did foresee the evil, and observe the success." Such were the reflections of Capt. Hod and such, doubtless, were those of his associates. The Memoirs being short, and n -)t intended for publication, there is no n^ntion of Major Greatheed and Capt. Gates until he conies to the narrative of his own arrest and imprisonment for •* the Farnley Wood Plot;" and then, alas'! the reference to them is brief, merely apprizing lis of Sir Thomas Gower, the then Sheriff, having told him that -they had for some time absconded, and were not to be found — that a declaration had been drawn up by them— that their in- tention was to set up the Long Parliament, and that they had consulted with many of the members of it, among whom there was some disagreement." Whatever disagreement there might be amongst the Republicans, as to the policy of the measures proposed, there seems evidently a disagreement between the tale of Bishop Parker, who states that the Major " volun- tarily discovered the whole affair at York," and 'that of Sheriff Gower, who stated that he "absconded and was not to be found." This, I have no doubt, was the fact ; as Cower was, Of all persons, the most likely to |„. informed upon the subject, and could have qo motive for telling Hodgson t his prisoner, u falsehood, at this time. Besides which he seems Ynmi Mrs. Hutchinson's narrative, to have been deep in the secrets of Charles 2nd. The assertion, therefore, of Parker, about the voluntary confession of Smithson and Great- heed, seems either to evince his ignorance of the truth, or his disposition to pervert it ; which may well enough be credited by those who know that this " Vicar of Bray" was the calumniator of Andrew Marvel— Lickspittle fcO James 2nd, and Editor of the " Tory Chronicle." A man of whom the common saying was. in his day, that -lie had wit enough to colour anything though never so foul,' and impudence enough to affirm any- thing though never so false." Before 1 conclude this part of my narra- tive, 1 would solicit the attention of the T~Oapt Hodgson (be it noted) wns an acting M under the Commonwealth. His conaequenee may b< idged p| from what Is said page st of the Memoirs er to an extract from a amusing' matter, and. as an authority, as unsuspicious and satisfactory as can well be imagined. Itia "The Diaryof Samuel Pepy'a, ," to which 1 refer, a gentleman who v Fellow of the Royal Society, and Secretary e Admiralty. 'in the reigns of Charles and dames the 2nd. When the nature of the wor k — the situation and opportunities of the man— the times in which he li mrished, and the company he was ever keeping are^ con- sidered, well indeed may we value throwing the clearest light on an in1 period of history ; and. certainly, not I because the matter was never designed publication. Under date of 16G3, is I entry : — ••'.Mr. Blackburn and [," Bays Mr. Pe " fell to talk about many things wherein he was very open to me. First, in that of Religion, he makes it a matter of im- prudence for the King and Council to Buffer liberty of conscience; and imputes the loss of Hungary to the Turks, from the Emperor denying them this liberty of their religion. lie says, that many pious Ministers <.f the word of God — some thousands of them, do now beg their bread;! and told me how highly the present Clergy do now carry them- selves everywhere, so thai they are hated and laughed at by every body; amongst other things for their excommunications, which they Bend upon the least occasion almost that can be. And 1 am convinced in my judgnu nt, not only from his discourse, but by my thoughts in general, that the present Clergy will never heartily go down with the generality of the commons of England. They have been so need to liberty and freedom, and they are so acquainted with the pride and debauchery of the present Clergy. Be gave me many Btoriesof the affronts which the Clergy receive in all place ind, fr >m the gentry and ordinary persons of the parish. He dot, -II me what the city thinks of General Monk, as a m »st perfidious man. that hath he' every body, and the kin-' also; who, as he think-, and his party, and BO 1 have heard Other good friends mi the kin.-- say. it might have he >n better for the kin- to have had his hands a little b >un I for the present than to bring in such a crew of poor people about him,* 1 1„- reader ma A tab oonflrmed by the i: tor of Whitkirk, maj oon alt the Gentle man'i '• ■ ■■■ Wll, p. 22 and 210; and Wliitakcrs. (or WhaUej ip P ,JI - :: m i MS IB Ulfl Clitull Hum Paxil unentarianx ' Bud be liaMr to satisfy the demands of every one of them. Be tells me thai the king-, by oame, with all his dignitaries, is prayed for by thorn that they call ' fanatiques,' as heartily and powerfully as in any of the other churches that are thought better; and that, let the king think what he will, it is them that must help him in the day of war. For so generally they are the most substantial sort of people and ike soberest ; and did desire me to observe it to my Lord Sandwich, among other things that of all the old army notv you cannot see a man begging about the streets ; — but, what ? you shall have this Oapt. turned shoemaker — the Lieut, a baker — this, a brewer — that a haberdasher — this common soldier a porter ; and every man in his apron and frock, as if they had never done anything else. Whereas the other will go with their belts and swords, swearing and cursing, and thieving, and run- ning into people's houses by force, oftentimes to carry away something. And this is the difference between the temper of the one and of the other ; and concludes, and as I think, with some reason, that the sjiirits of the Old Parliament Soldiers are so quiet and so con- tented with Gods providences, that the king is safer from any harm meant him by them, one thousand times more than from his own dis- contented cavaliers. And then, to the public management of business, it is done, as he observes, so loosely and carelessly, that the kingdom can never be happy with it, every man looking to himself, and his own lust and luxury ; and that half of what money the parliament gives the king, is not so much as gathered, f And to this purpose he told me how the Bellamys, who had some of the Northern counties assigned to them for the Petty Warrant Victualling, have often com- plained to him that they cannot get it col- lected, for that nobody minds, or, if they do, they wont pay it in; whereas, which is a very remarkable thing, he hath been told by some of the Treasurers of War here of late, to whom the most of the £120,000 monthly was paid, that for the most months the pay- ments were gathered so duly, that they seldom had so much or more than forty shillings, or the like, short, in the whole col- lection ; whereas, now, the very Commission- era f<*r Assessments and Other pill "lie pay- ments, arc such persons, and those they choose in the country so like themselves, that from top to bottom there is qoI a man careful t The reader will see an instance of this hereafter. of any thing, or if he be, is not solvent — that betwixt the begger and the knave the king is abused the best part of his revenue. Mr. Blackburn further observed to me some cer- tain notice that he had of the present Plot so much talked of. lie was told by Mr. Rush- w< >rth how one Capt. Oates, a great discoverer, did employ several to bring and seduce others into a plot; and that one of his agents met with one that would not listen to him, nor conceal what he had offered him, but so detected the trepan ; j he did also insist much upon the cowardice and corruption of the king's guards and militia." — Vol. 1, p. 2G1. Captain Oates, I am quite sure, never employed agents to " trepan" others ; but it is evident that this brave and unfortunate man was " trepanned" himself. Mr. Rushworth, certainly, must have been misinformed, or Mr. Blackburn must have been mistaken in this matter ; for had the Captain been an agent of the Government, it is not likely that he would have suffered, as we know he did. In short, there is nothing to depend upon in the latter part of this extract ; but much in the former part, which is, in fact, so interesting as to merit republication. It is an instructive and decisive document, and it should make people ashamed of themselves, who have reflected on the Protectorate government. " They have been so used to liberty and free- dom" says Mr. Blackburn, and the in- genuous Secretary of the Admiralty in 1663, re-echoes his words, — they have been so used to liberty and freedom," that Stuart, Priests, and Cavaliers will never go down with the nation again. And then the oppo- site spirit and conduct of the Republicans and Royalists ! Oh what a picture ! — what a contrast is here presented ! " Again," (under date of January 11th,) says Mr. Pepy's u by invitation at St. James's, where, at Mr. Coventry's chamber, I dined with my Lord Berkeley, Sir George Carteret, Sir Edwd. Turner, Sir Ellis Lay ton, and one Mr. Seymour, a line gentleman, § where was admirable good discourse of all sorts — serious X Upon the whole I am satisfied that this was, in fact, a Government Plot.— that Blood, of crown stealing notoriety, and other miscreants, were employed as stated hy Mrs. Hut- chinson, and that our unfortunate townsmen were the dupes of their satanic practices. See Evelyn, vol. 1, p. 413. S No doubt the same who is mentioned in the Life of Lord Russell, p. S(J a zealous Protestant, and a man of talent— appointed by the Commons for their Speaker in 1679, but rejected by the Court party, lie appears, however, to have been a man of no consistency, by his adhering, subsequently, to James. and pleasant. This morning I stood by the King, arguing- with a pretty Quaker woman, that delivered to him a desire of hers in writing. The King shewed her Sir J. Minnes as a man the fittest for her quaking religion, she modestly arguing nothing until he began seriously to discourse with her, arguing the truth of his spirit against hers, she replying still with these words — ' King !' — and thou'd him all along. The general talk still is, of Col. Turner, about the robbery,|| who it is thought will be hanged. I heard the Duke of York tell to night how letters are come th;;t iifteen are condemned for the late Plot, by the Judges at York; and, among others, Copt. Oates, ^ against whom it was proved that he drew his sword at his going out, and flii ging away the scabbard said, that either he would return victor or be hanged. "At dinner," lastly says Mr. Pepys, " we talked much of Cromwell — all saying he was a brave fellow, and did owe his crown he got to himself as much as any man thai ever yot one." It is quite manifest, from these minutes, that Captain Gates (as I before intimated) was a real, and not a pretended, conspirator — an unfortunate seduced, and not a wicked emissary. Gates. '• the discoverer," might possibly be his son Ralph, who, to save his own life, told all he knew of the Plot, and, perhaps, more. It is far from improbable also, 1 think, that Blood, who attempted to steal the crown out of the Tower in 1(171. was another informer, lie was certainly a spy of Charles's.— (See Evelyn's Memoirs, •11:;.) — Indeed, the Spy System- was never more encouraged, or more artfully conducted, than ninler this reign. 151 1, it appears, had even a pension allowed himf aboul L670. —See Biog. Brit. 2342.)— Doubtless he had no objection to " biuuil money" Bui the most remarkable passage, extracted as above, is the last, and it is the more amusing from the time in which it was written — scarce three years after the blessed "Restoration!!!" It contains a volume of II An account of it appears in the State Trials. Jle was banged. '■ The reader must be warned nol to confound the " Presby terian" with the "Popish Plot," In which the name of Titus Oates appears, as this did not happen till 1078. Our Captain Oates was called Thomas, and we have Mill a Thomas Oi in Morley, who, for bravery, does no discredit to bifl name. How early the Spy System prevailed In England, appears from the K.dl Expenses of Edward 1st, at Rhuddland < i in which is tins curious entry : "To a certain female ■py, to purchase her a house, £1 Os. Od." t Pennant's London, 2C6. Evelyn, vol. l, p. 113. 'ArohaooL vol. 10, p, 71. meaning, and it applies itself so foieibly to the understanding, that comment is almost needless. — It La plain that at this dinner not only the character of Cromwell, personally, but that of his government, was freely CUS- cussed.| It was not merely the excellency of the man, but of the ruler and his govern- ment — it was not merely the wonders lie had achieved, but the benefits lie had conferred upon the nation, about which there was such perfect unanimity. Can any rational being doubt that these ••men in office" were con- trasting the past with the, then, present times ? or that bitter were the pangs which produced this concord? Ah no ! There was every thing in their circumstances and situa- tion to give them a wrong bias; but the dictates of conscience — the respect for truth — and a sigh for the departed glories of their country prevailed. But what, was this " crown" which Crom- well acquired ? Was it the crown which Blood stole out of the Tower, after his master had obtained it by bribery, by perfidy, by sycophancy, and by falsehood ? No ! That crown, though offered by the nation, he had the greatness to refuse. The crown of Crom- well was a crown of glory — conferred upon him by the common consent of mankind, and the general homage of Foreign States. With- out any appeal to arms or money employed, all Europe, involuntarily, bowed before it.§ The histories even of Foreigners shall pro- claim his title; and the crown u hr got to liimsrlf" while here on earth, I have no doubt he will ever wear, in the communion of " just men made perfect. "|| Saving presented the reader with all the accounts which I can gather of the " Farnley Wood I'lot," I shall now lay before him the result of many tedious examination of l>eeds, Equity Proceedings, and Original Documents long since losl and forgotten, in order that, the mystery of this transaction may be some- what dispelled, and the character of a man, great in his day, brought more fully out. Nor let any one be offended at my prolixity, \ Jams i the 2nd, when abroad, remarked, " that thr Enfttab catholics were royalists ; while thr Protectant! were the friends of Cromwell Life of Lord William Russell, p. 2... Burnet, \<>l. l , p. 118. ^ Clarendon even i- forced to eay that " Cromwell'e great' i' homo was hut I lhadOW of the glory he bad abroad." Lppendix, letter " B." Bnrnet'e"Own Times 'p 181, IUrri>, 407. Mapin. Ac Bee »U<> a fine Anen'ote of t romwell In Chandler's History of Persecution, p Bui st, especially, mi Interesting communication to the Gentleman's Magazine, (vol 61, p. 200) by • truly respectable pel 'ii whom I once knew, ami whose initials 1 recognise. Appendix, >^o. 0. to since many of my neighbours and our descen- dant* may feel a lively interest in a topic which has been variously agitated during the long period of one hundred and sixty years. As a necessary preliminary to what will follow, 1 must be allowed to carry back the leader, from the time wo refer to, about three or Four years. /. c — to the year 1659. In that unhappy year, as is well known, the reins of government dropped from the feeble hands which, for a moment, held them, into those of a Council torn by factions, fears, and jealousies, and ill prepared for the formation of a permanent Republic. The sad expedient of reinstating a worthless IT family, seemed, therefore, to be approved ; for the Presby- terian party, now the strongest in the state, had deserted their friends, their principles, and the u good c au se." Chiefly act u ated by resentment towards those who had checked their ambition and intolerance ; with a blind- ness, a baseness, and ingratitude which has but one parallel in the history of mankind, they threw themselves into the arms of their inveterate enemies, and bawled aloud for " the Restoration." For some time after the return of Charles " the desired''' the nation, as Burnet remarks, was "drunk and mad" — " a spirit of extravagant joy spread over it which occasioned the throwing off the very profession of virtue and piety." Yes! the deluded slaves shook their chains in triumph, and hailed the advent of legitimacy as the Eera cjf liberty ! How well do the events of this period illustrate a remark of the great Napoleon ! w * In revolutions," says he, "every thing is forgotten — the benefits you confer to day are no more remembered — the side once changed, gratitude, friendship, parentage — every tie vanishes, and all sought for is self- interest."** But God and man concurred to punish the apostacy of the times. -j-j A dreadful tempest which arose after the death of Cromwell, and was succeeded by a comet, gave fearful omen of those troubles which persecution, pestilence, * Lord Orford, Lord Byron, and Innumerable other great and Literary men have pronounced the same judgment. of them calls the smarts " a worthless and exploded family ;" ami Mr. b'ox's Historical Work displays tlio propriety of the former epithet. The reader may there sec who were Pen- - < \ upon the Court of Fram leon in Exile," vol. L, p. 82, bj B, B. O'Meara it See Pepye'a Diary, p. 315 this La under date L664, and is rchseologia, vol. 6, p. 82 ; and "God's 'by Vincent, &c, Pepys's Diary, p. at f rosl . mow, and winds," says Evelyn ; "indeed ii hath l>*«n a year of prodlgh . war, lire, 1 1 and comet." Bee al o lallis'fl Letters, vol », p. 85, Second Si and fire were to bring upon the nation. So awful was the visitation of the plague alone, that it swept away near a hundred thousand persons: — the walls of the Metropolis had inscribed upon them in every part, " Lord have mercy upon us." Grass grew in the very streets, — where now only was heard the midnight cry of the funeral bellman — " Bring out your dead." Oh ! what a picture of horror does the narrative of these judgments present! — and oh ! how hard must have been that heart that was unmoved by them ! To return, however, to the point in view. — If the defection was so great, in 1GG0, as Historians* represent — if "Hollis was made a Lord \for his merits' in bringing about the Restoration " — if Annesley and Cooper — if Monk and Manchester were preferred to offices of trust, or invested with honours, on the like account — if some even of the Presby- terian Ministers were advanced f — nay, what is still more " passing strange," if Fairfax ! — the noble Fairfax! was so far cajoled as to ride at the head of three hundred country gentlemen through York, J with swords drawn and bareheaded, amidst the thunder of cannon, the ringing of bells, the illumina- tion of bonfires, and the shouts of the populace — if many were deceived by the promises and declarations of Charles, and others were cor- rupted by his offers, surely something may be said — not as an apology, but by way of palliation for inferiors wdio " sailed with the stream, and accepted the "candles ends" and "cheese parings" of his ministry. Among the number of these (my regard to historic truth compels me to confess, with grief,) was Major G-reatheed — the man of chief influence in this neighbourhood. It appears that in 1G62 the Major obtained the office of Collector or Receiver of the Kevenue arising from hearths and stoves, within the city of York, and West Riding of the County, along with Edward Copley, Esq., of Batley, and William Bait. Esq., of Barkis- land. This office it must be remarked, was not. at this time, in the gift of the crown but of the parliament, as appears by (he King's speech, in .March, L664. Sometime, however, after he had obtained it, tin 1 .Major became bound by bond to (he king, for securing his » Inter Alia. See Life of Lord Russell, p. 21. Drake. Burnet's " Own Times," vol. i,p 187—147. t This was just what, they wanted, and it will be a disgrace to their memories, but a jewel in the crown of Cromwell for ever. I Drake's York. 174; Pepye, vol. l. Evelyn, vol. 1, p. 310. 11 proportion of the sum of £2,650 payable to government, and for some half-years made good his accounts and payments ; bul having collected, and retaining in his hands, (as was alleged) the sum of £1334 3s. Od. al Lady- day, 1GG6, and refusing or neglecting the payment of this duty, the Earl of Danby, then Lord Treasurer of England, issued his warrant, directed to his Majesty's Remem- brancer of the Exchequer, to put the bond in guit; and an exienl issued, accordingly, against the real estate of the Major. On the 31st of October. 1676, an inquisition was taken by the Sheriff, when it was found that, at the time when the Major gave his bond, lie was seized in fee of diverse lands and tenements in these parts. The Auditor, it seems, charged him with a debt of £3334 3s. but admitted the receipt, in respect thereof, of the sum of £2000, so that, in tact, there only remained due upon a balance, the sum of £1334 :>s. 0d. ; and of this there was an affidavit of the Major, and other proofs, that Batt, or his deputies, had in hand £1039 7s. which, with a surcharge upon Batt's officers, of £31 8s. Od. amounted to £1070 15s. 0d.; and it was alleged, and sworn, that £263 8s. Od. was due from Copley; which, taking for granted its accuracy, would leave nothing to be accounted for. Indeed, the affidavit of ;i Mr. Radcliffe, residing at that time at Bruntcliffe, put that matter beyond a doubt, I shewed that Batt anil Copley were the only real defaulters, and completely exonerated their colleague. It was probably this, and other similar defalcations of the day, which occasioned the passing of the act 20th of Charles 2ml. chap. 2. making a sum of .£12 per cent., payable for all monies retained by Officers oi Revenue being defaulters; but it seems there had been some peccadilloes before times in the collec- tion of this branch of the Revenue : for even, in 1663, there was an additional act, "for the better ordering and collecting it." I cannot relate how this curious affair terminated, nor is if material to my history. It will be more amusing, as well as instruc- tive, to trace this singular Tax to its origin ; which 1 shall endeavour to do briefly, as I he subject is worthy of investigation. The Hearth Tax, commonly called ••Chim- ney Money," was imposed by bill, passed in March, 1662, or (as it is ludicrously § and * it appears to be a practice in England, at l< ait I it- reign ol Henry the 0th, for per on; who claim to govern "cavalierly" called)^ Who/ Claries 2nd !l It was not, however, strictly speaking, a new tax, but an old one revived. — The hint, at Least, was taken from the duty on fauge or fumage Laid upon his Norman subject-, by the Black Prince, after the dukedom of Aquitain was granted to him, and consisted of twelve- pence upon every fire; which duty was again derived from the well-known Tax. formerly paid to the Popes, under the name of " Pet Pence," being one penny for every chimney that smoked. The sum which this duty raised in Henry the 8th's time amounted to about B7500 per annum, and is said to have been more than doubled by the Hearth Tax of Charles 2nd ; by which every hearth and stove of every dwelling in England and Wales, except such as paid not to church and poor, was subject to a duty of two shil- lings per annum, payable at Michaelmas and Lady-day.|| This Tax. being loudly com- plained of as burthensome to the people, was commuted for the still worse Tax upon Windows, which began in the reign of William, and as so far extended as to have become one of the most oppressive of our national burthens. The Copleys and the Batts, with whom Major Great heed, in advanced life, appears to have been intimate, were families of BO much distinction hereabouts, in the seventeenth century, that it will enrich my Work con- siderably to notice them, however briefly; — for a more extended pedigree, 1 mu>t refer the reader to the MSS. Collections* in the Leeds Library. The first of the family of Copley recorded is Adam, who married Ann, the daughter of Thomas Rishworth, of RWhworth, near Halifax. lie bore — argent— a bend sabk — an eaglel displayed in chief vert, and a c Crossed in best of the Second. His motto was •■ Pngna me sub ('line.*' •• llr was slain at the siege Of York, under William the Conqueror. His cresl was a cup covered sable, and he left iSSUe a BOO Called Hugh." by divine right, and wholly in I "dl. thus to dab rnment and tempUble as ii i- absurd \ •' " * 11 the horrors of Civil War Mid Anarchy, by their own stupidity and wickedness, these people, or their deaoendanl have governed in the place of fa > aols rulurs than tl Had the rebcllh u in 174 • pet . ould have seen s few more In ow statute Book although James abdicated the orown, and parliament appointed his Pepj , i I ' i These MSS i><- it. however, n< • iMe fot their omissions and partiality, as f"r t) • • and yiruli dxml manj • ,, the) wi re offensive t>> tl [2 Omit tii i ; pedigree, I Copley, of One of his descendants was thai Famous Robert Grostete (Greathead), Bishop of Lincoln, i whom I have before made men- tion, — k, ;t formidable scourge," as is well known, "to papal usurpation," and who died in 1258. the intermediate links of this shall take it up again, at Edward Batley, Esq., son and heir off A 1 vera Copley, of the same place, who married Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Mallory, of Ilalton Park, Knt. The virulent writer of the MS. collections in the Leeds Old Library, with more spleen probably than truth, J observes, that "he paid Oliver's leeches, to save his estate, twelve hundred and forty-six pounds." — Credat Judreus. If true however, this salutary mode of drawing blood was something- different § from that which was practised upon poor Leighton, Burton, Lord Win. Russel, Sidney, j| Lady Lisle, and innumerable other sufferers, by the Stuarts. To Edward, succeeded Alvera Copley, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Savile, which Elizabeth, married to her second husband, Richard Banks, Esq. Edward Cop- ley, Esq., of Batley, the person who, as I believe, was engaged in the affair of Heath Money, with Greatheed and Batt, was the second son, but heir of the last Alvera Copley, by his second wife, Beatrice, daughter of Adam Hilton, of Hilton, Esq. He married the daughter of a Mr. Butterworth, (Susan) by whom he had issue, a daughter ; but by his second wife, he had Frances, Edward, John, (who was Rector of Emley and Thorn- hill, and steward to Sir George Savile,) Elizabeth and Jane. He died in 167G — his son, John, in 1732. Since writing the above, I find from the small MS. collections of the late Richard Walker, Esq., of Ridings, near Birstal, that t Alvera Copley, of liatley, had a daughter "Issabel," who married sir Robert Savile, of Howley. He was a student of Lincoln's Inn, where he was burled, 5th of February, L598, :■ t. :'.:'». His son and heir, was the Edward, who married Miss Mallory, as above-mentioned. ♦ I have several reasons for believing that this branch of the Copleys were averse to the despotism of the Stuarts, and not ill affected to Oliver. § To say nothing, moreover, about Tines which were laid upon people, in the reigns of the Stuarts, on nu re suspicion of guilt, and where not a shadow of proof existed. Bee Bapin, vol. -.!. p. 17::, &c. fo. The e lines upon people, fomenting Civil War, were common in Henry the 7th's reign. See Ellis's Letters, vol. 1, p. B& || The ease maybe found in BO common a publication, as the Gentleman's Magazine, sol 98, Pari Second, p. 17 :— or Hargrare's State Trials, vol i, p. L06, where the proceedings are at length. A more cruel and deliberate murder was nc\er perpetrated— one only parallel is to be found in history. See Hume, vol 4, p 213. 1 am right in my conjecture; as this gentle- man (the Edward Copley, particularly alluded to) was living at Batley in 1G67. Edward Copley, if not a Barrister, was a Magistrate, residing at Batley Hall, the family seat; for I find one Thomas Lofte, clerk to him, buried in 1674, in the South aisle of the Church. It was, no doubt, to this Edward that Sir Thomas Gower addressed the letter mentioned by Capt. Hodgson, in page 185 of his Memoirs. FAMILY OF BATT, OF OAKWELL. The family of Batt, of Oakwell nail, near Birstal, bore arms argent a cheveron — three Batts or rere mice sable displayed. The first of whom I find mention was Henry, who lived in the reigns of Henry 8th and Edward 6th, and died in the second of Mary. This gentleman purchased the Manors of Birstal, Heckmondwike, and Heaton, in Bradforddale. He seems to have had two sons — Henry and Robert, who was Fellow and Vice-master of University College, Oxford. Henry (the heir-at-law) appears to have been a most eccentric and unprincipled character. He was found by an inquisition,^ taken at Elland in the forty-third year of Elizabeth, to have appropriated to his own use monies which had been left with him, by the Vicar of Birstal, for erecting a School ; — also to have pulled down and sold the great Bell of Birstal Church,** and to have demolished the Vicarage-House, thentofore standing in the Church-yard; and a decree of compensation was made by Lord Ellesmere, the Chancellor, against his son John, in the second year of James the 1st. This man who, it was found, inherited great property, and was his father's executor, inherited also his principles ; for he had the coolness to convert the materials of the Vicarage into a dwelling upon his own land ; and he had the baseness, in 1642, to present Charles the 1st, when at York, with a hundred pounds of his si < den wealth, lie married Martha, a daughter of the Rev. T. Mallory, D.D., of Chester, by whom he had a son — John, drowned in the Irish Channel when returning with his father from Virginia. •| From MS. authority furnished me by my worthy friends at Birstal. This villainous act appears to have been done under colour of legality. See an explanation in stowe's Annals, p. 1186. The destruction of Hells commenced with Henry 8th and his Reformers, and they were sold from a spirit of rapacity. Numbers unquestionably were sent abroad. See i:iii 's Letters, second Series, vol. 2, p. 140. 43 The other sons of Henry, the dilapidated, were William, Thomas, and Henry, the two last of whom were living in Virginia, in Kid?. He had besides two daughters — Elizabeth, who married Richard Marsh, D.D. (Dean of York) and Martha. William, the second son, succeeded to the family estates, and resided, as his brother and forefathers had done, at Oakwcll Hall. lie was the person who was Collector of Hearth Money with Copley and Greatheed. Ee married Elizabeth, daughter of William Horton, of Barkisland, Esq., and had issue from her William, Gledhill, John, Thomas, who died young, and sonic daughters. William (the son) was slain on his return from London, December the 9th, 1G8-1 ; but in what maimer seems now unknown. I low frequent assassinations * were about this period may be learned from Evelyn's Memoirs, p. 542, and serious duels f were as common. Gledhill died s. p. in 1G84-5 — his hand- writing I possess. John Batt, of Oakwell, Esq., married the daughter of — Metcalf, Esq., and died s. p. in 1707; — his widow married to her second husband, John Smith, Esq., of Heath, (near Wakefield) I believe. It will appear, here- after, why I am so minute in this pedigree. Such were the gentry with whom Major Greatheed received the sop, and made his peace, soon after the Restoration. They were certainly people of fortune — of ancient families, and of some consequence in this neighbourhood. I can only guess at their. principles from circumstances; but whatever they were, and though not a blot had been seen upon their escutcheons, it must needs be owned that, by the "Job" alluded to, his laurels, at least, became tarnished, who had been the follower of Cromwell, the favourite of Fairfax, and the friend of Lambert. It is not for his submission to the; govern- ment of Charles that 1 blame the Major, since that, 1 presume, was demanded by the public voice; but for his acceptance of a mercenary office under it. Had the then parliament and people of England thoughl [nation was a characteristic (if whal "loyalty" in the seventeenth century, i to have been in much later times. Dr. Dorislaus, Envoy to the Pai liament of Holland, wa ; murdered in 1649. Anthony Ascham, Ambassador at .Madrid, in 1650 ; and one of the viluana was a ■ Mi df Lord Clarendon. Bradshaw, nephew to tin: lent, narrowly escaped the dagger at Copenha --■ * - 1 1 - I capes arc well known. t Even the mild and peaceable Lord William Russell appcur^ tu have been unseed in two duels. proper t<> have called t<> the throne a Calmuck Tartar, or a Cherokee Chieftain — nay. laid they even "placed the crown upon 8 state," 1 sh<»uM have Baid, with the Kail of Surrey, in Henry the 8th's lime, that •• ii l his duty to defend that hedgestake ;"} — but in t: ing affair he clearly passed the limits t. whether Sir Thomas would not own for Ring any poreon whom If for example) who should have been dec! Parliament Hi Id. Rich I Un- church bo appolnti b be bound I Ami ten's Remain i that lie w i I him- self : for, i Ralph Oal i probably ho with could v.yuld .■.(I." I ! 1 can collect, it appears thai the Major's con- nections in after l&e contributed little to his advantage in any way; and thai his sinking fortune was saved, For the most part, by the merit of his sons, who acquired, by purchase, the greater part of his estates.] We are taughl by this, amongst many other examples.)!' fallen greatness, the policy, if not the duty, of adhering to virtuous and patriotic principles, and to those who cherish them. To people wholly intent upon self- interest, the contrary course is generally most alluring, but it frequently ends in mortifica- tion, and always In disgrace. Had the Major been a consistent character — had he kept that company in advanced life which was the pride of his youth, he might have added one little star to that bright constellation which his times supply — his name might have been enrolled among the illustrious dead, and recorded honours might have graced his tomb — at all events the sun of his glory, which rose fair 1[ upon the plains at Adwalton, could never have set in clouds and darkness, even in the times of the Stuarts. Among the pictures of my family I have the good fortune to possess a miniature of the Major** — a three-quarters portrait of his son Samuel, and a full-length portrait of his grand-daughter; and, it is curious to observe, how admirably the physiognomy, in each instance, suits the tradition respecting- their characters. In the Major's jj is depicted the wily, thoughtful, desperate, and undaunted soldier — in Samuel's, the plain, peaceable, ordinary, country gentleman — in Mary's, a sweetness and an innocency which is quite compatible with her well remembered character. The iioxi person, in (he lirsl set of trustees of Morley Old Chapel, whom I shall particu- larly mention is .John Smith, who was a gentleman of some fortune and consideration in these parts. He lived at a line old house. like a baronial mansion, at the entrance into Gildersome from Morley, by the foot-path. Prom the remarkable intimacy which existed between him and the Major, one of whose II I have uracil reason for believing that the Major died poor. II': was, certainly, Bomewhat embarrassed towards tin; closi "i lii I I nspect, therefore, he had been heavily lined. - i As hereafter will lie related. I hope my frequent mention of Major General Greatheed will in- attributed t>> ■■< proper motive, and considered with candour, he being a first Trustee of Money Chapel, and pro- bably) Hi': \(i\ person who procured Its Lease. It Not unlike the portrait of Murat, as L'iven in Count Narrative. L2mo. Ed. daughters (Alice) married his son John, and from other circumstances, I happen to know that he was a staunch Republican. As it may not be generally known, it is allowable to mention, that amongsl the many extraordinary methods of raising money adopted by Charles the 1st. one was, by summoning people up to London to be knighted, and Imposing fines on such as refused antendance.* The requisition, I believe, were generally made upon such as were obnoxious to the court party, and it answered a threefold purpose. It raised supplies. It probed the principles of the suspected, and, it gratified the malevolence of the " Cavaliers." The demand, it is true, could only, with the least colour of legality, be made upon those who, like John Smith, enjoyed real estate of a certain value. Yet, even to such persons, it certainly was a most vexatious one, when the foundation of it is considered. Military service was a tenure by which most of the land in this kingdom, as we are told, was held down to the middle of the seventeenth century ; and is said to have grown out of a system of vassalage, called the " Feudal System." It was indeed such a system of degradation and extortion as could only have existed in ages of the most brutal ignorance. The luckless minor, inheri- ting a small patrimony, converted, perhaps, from a barren waste or a stinking bog, into good meadow, by his own wealth or the sweat of his forefathers, was then like a lamb among wolves. If his property was held by soccage tenure, of an inferior Lord, he was subjected to ignoble servitude and exhorbitant demands, upon pretences the most, futile; and if it amounted to what was called a Knight's fee,t or about twenty pounds per annum in the thirteenth century, and was held of the Lord Paramount, his condition was still worse; since, in addition to other feudal exactions, he Avas compelled to be knighted and become a soldier, or he had to pay a line in lieu of it. Such an order of things could, of course, only continue while the minds of inferior men were as vacant as those of their vassals, the oxen and asses which (hey drove; and. accordingly, we find that I heso claims, -; e EtUShWOrth'8 Collections, vol. 2, p. 70. t Ai Brsl lie was compellable to be knighted, unless lie eda Knight's fee, in L630 11 was forty pound land or mil by Ihe year, sec Etushworth, 70 and 215. However the mi in i).' regarded at first, it had become dreadfully oppressive in the Tudor reigns. I., and especially that of knight service, had long become obsolete, before they were revived by the haughty and rapacious Elizabeth, or her half-brother. What it was that induced their ministers to countenance such an arbitrary stretch of prerogative, if is needless to inquire; but what it was thai prompted this Queen to exert if, may easily be conceived J on referring to her well known character. I>e what it might, in the reign of her kinsman James,§ and especially Charles 1st, the people were resolved to wear the y< >ke no longer, and he was compelled to yield up to necessity what he obstinately refused to entreaty. But there was another c< msideration, besides the foregoing, which made the imposition of knight service doubly odious. The king being the head, the governor, and guardian of the state, and having various officers and servants, chosen by himself, or otherwise employed under him, is supposed to have a watchful eve upon them, for the public good, and to be the best judge of their respective deserts. The law, therefore, regarding him in this light, and as "incapable of doing wrong," had intrusted him alone with the power of confer- ring dignities, in the perfect assurance that he will bestow them properly. All degree.-. therefore, of nobility or of knighthood were committed to the exercise of his discretion for a beneficent purpose — for the encouragement of virtue and talent, and not for the oppres- sion of the weak. When, therefore, Charles lsl and his ministers converted thai which was intended as a stimulus to a commendable ambition, into an engine of torture. — When, in the pretended exercise of a gracious prerogative, they indulged only in the petty feelings of private resentment, they dearly became guilty of a breach of trust, and polluted the very l * fountain of honour." Such, probably, were the feelings of Mr. John Smith when, of two evils laid before him, he chose the lesser, which was the pay- ment of a line, and taking a receipt for the money of Lord Strafford. This receipt is still, luckily preserved, by the care of a gentleman al < romcrsal, in whom is united a considerable knowledge <>f the law, and a ! I mean bj those who have oot confined them i reading school histories, or such a deceptions work as that ol Ilium: ; hut Impartial, and especially antiquarian, I ailkBop c pared with Elizabeth, told hi* Pari iament that, " to dispute what a king mighl do In the height of his power was as seditious aa it was bu mow to dispute with God." commendable regard for matters of curiosity. Saving, in early life, been interested in the affair- of John Smith's descendants, and amused with the contents of the family papers, he knows something of his history, and agrees with me, in pronouncing him to have been a mosl steady and zealous Repub- lican. As 1 never saw the receipt alluded to, and am ignorant of its date, ii is possible that the father of Mr. John Smith (the Trustee) may have been the person who paid the tine. lb . 1 am persuaded, fell al the battle of Adwalton Moor; I'm- in the Batley Register is this entry — "John Smith, of Grildersome, Benior, buried August 20th, L643," besides which. I perceive that John Co) .ley, Esq. (probably the elder brother of Edward before-mentioned, andeldesl sen of AJvera Copley,) was buried the day before; and I know there was an officer of thai name, on the Republican side, in the fight.1i Under all the drcumstaiK I think it almosl certain that these two gentlemen, with dolm Smurthwaito. of Morley, hereafter (o be mentioned, nil died in conse- quence of their wounds, alter lingering in pain a short time. My great, grout grandfather married a descendant of this last gentleman. There is but one other gentleman in tla- li-l of our firsl sel of Trustees of whom 1 have to make mention, and that one IS Mr. John Crowther. That he was an eminent merchant. and related to the Crowthers of Gildersome, is certain. With his hand-writing, occurring, as it dues, very frequently in my deeds ami papers, 1 am perfectly familiar; and having been struck with the similarity which there i-; between it and the lac simile of ;i John Crowther' s writing, exhibited in the Gentle- man's Magazine for 1 792, p. 689, 1 cannot help thinking, from this and other circum- stances, that the gentleman in question \ not a Kentish, but ;i Yorkshire man. The document referred 1m seems 1" ha\e been a petition to Oliver Cromwell, from certain merchants belonging t<» the Easl India Company, in L657, praying for ;i convo) to protect their ships homeward bound, and in •| See Lord Faitl ill- in mind « hose daughter it waa thai AJvera < oplej mai and tin- politics ..r the ti « . %\ i « > ramUj also, thai tlvera Edward, thi ceeded him. ii' any person should deem this mnotful, I will tell him that which Is a matt : the mwell himself, end wnicl to i'ih • -'"I ii I rtly followed it. The two latter calamities I pass over, and shall touch very slightly upon the first; merely observing that our Old Chapel was at this time onee more fenced within the pale of the establishment, and the prayer book and surplice now appeared within its walls. It had been expected, by the Presbyterian party, that Charles would be improved by the lessons taught him in the school of adversity — true to his promises and declarations in favour of " tender consciences," and mindful of his obligations (to them especially) for the recovery of a crown. It was not, however, sufficient for them to be put on an equal footing with other subjects, as they had lately oeen, but they panted for exclusive dignities and emoluments under the sway of i: the desired" — Credulous ! — vain ! — short sighted men! — little did they dream what a scourge they were preparing for their own backs ! — little did they suspect that an individual would be proved to have been wiser than them all,|| and that lie whom they then called a "Usurper," had been their guardian angel — but the day of retribution at length came— the scales fell from their eyes, 1 mean Michael Dawson, Robert EUlifi, .nut Richard Ford, the. l.i t. of whom was probably of the family of lords of Liversedge, hereafter mentioned under the word "Birstal." Letter " B" in the Appendix. it Ls a curious fact that Charl re pestilence. See Strype's Life of Aylmer, p. 184. Imagine, v, thin- of thi acters of Charles and James 2nd, and the history of their i doubt, for a in" iiperior sagacity of well over all the men who lived even in his age. Even i, Lambert, Falkland, Fleetwood, and Vane, cut but a poor figure to CromweU in political foresight. Thurloe, that great man, who would not accept an oflice under the Stuarts, done like him in this reject. and they wept for that protection and peace which returned no more. Yet not to the Presbyterians only did the persecutions of the times extend, but they reached also every other class of dissenters, — the former, however, were the greatest sufferers.1T Numbers of these men, antece- dent to the Restoration, had got into good livings, and were the most popular preachers in the nation. " They were learned, pious, orthodox, divines," says the celebrated Locke, " who did not throw themselves out of service, but were forcibly ejected by the Act of Uniformity — they were treated," says he, " with the greatest severity, being reduced to the necessity of begging, or starving, or get- ting their bread as they could — they were driven from their houses and the society of their friends, and what was still worse to them, from their usefulness, though they had merited much from the king, and had laboured indefatigably for his restoration." "Many of the ejected ministers," says the excellent Bishop Burnet, " were much valued and dis- tinguished for their abilities and zeal, — they cast themselves upon the providence of God, and the charity of their friends, which had a fair appearance, as of men who were ready to suffer persecution for their consciences. This begat esteem and compassion, whereas the old clergy, now much enriched, were as much despised." To illustrate, by way of instance, these great authorities — to prove such positions as will be laid down in a subsequent page, and to shew the reader what probably occurred in our Old Chapel** after the u happy Restora- tion," I shall now copy for him a few extracts from the AVhitkirk Register, taking for granted their correctness, as given to the public by a former Vicar. f f " 1GG7. — Given to a poore old Minister ivho preached licre, June 2nd, 3s. Gd. Charges at several times upon several Ministers who 'preached here, 3s. (Id. "1GG8. — Charges upon Mr. Bennington and some friends of his when lie preached here att Christ masse, 2s. 2d. " Bestowed in ale upon a poore Preacher that preached here, Gd. •| I perceive that .some of the Hooks of our day would decry men, but the antidote to their poison may bo found in Godwin, vol. 4, p. oS. >• accounts of Mr. Nesse, Mr. Dawson, and others, In the subsequent pages. H tt was the Rev. S. Smallpage who communicated these interesting particulars to the editor of the Gentleman's Magazine. See vol. for iili, p. 82. 17 "1669. — Given to a poore Minister who preached here, at the Church, April 25.th, 5s. Bestowed on him in ale, 4d. " Feb. 13th, 1669.— Collected then, by the Churchwardens, in the Church upon a testi- moniall, and at the request of the Lord Bishop of York, for one Mr. Wilmot, a poore Minister, 8s. 4d. "May 16th, 1675.— Collected then, in the Church, upon a letter of request, brought by- Mr. Francis Fowler, of Bungay, in the County of Suffolke, a poore distressed Minister, which was given to hiiu May 17th, 1675, 5s. 7d. ob. -April 10th, 1670.-- -Given then, by the neighbours, to a poor mendicant Minister, one Mr. John Rhodes, who then preached here, and after sermon stood in the middle He to receive the- charity of the people, the summe of 12s. 3d. July 3rd, 1670. — Given then, by the neigh- hours, to a poore, lame, itinerary, one Mr. Walker, who then preached here, and, after the sermon, stood in the middle He to receive the people's charity, which was 9s. 3d. "Nov. 30th, 1670.— Given then, in the midle ile of the Church, to a poore mendicant, itinerary, lame, Priest, one Mr. Walker, who had preached here, the 3rd of July, 70, and preached again this day, the summe of 3s. 6d. "July 30, 1671.— Given then, in the midle ile of the Church, by the neighbours, to the afore-named Mr. Walker the mendicant, itinerary, lame Minister, who had been here several times before, and did then preach, the summe of 6s. 3d. As three, at least, of the ejected Ministers are interred in our burial ground, and I shall have something to relate of others who were Ministers, or preached at the Old Chapel, my reason for expatiating on these sad times, will be evident. But, independent of this consideration, where is the reader so devoid of feeling, or curiosity, as not to be interested For a picture of 1C64, take the following from Clarkson's Richmond : — " Given to Captain James Maxwell, with a pass for him- ■elf and children, Od. (No doubt an old Republican ofllci r > "Given to .Mrs. Lacy, her three children, and maid ; and to rard, with livechildren, who had a pass, Is. " To Lieutenant Young, who had a pass from Oxford, Is. " To one Mr. Philip Musgrave, a poor gentleman, Od." So much for the 29th of .May and Oak branche Just by way of shewing to what extent the persecution r e a c h e d , and to remove a considerable load of misrepresents taftton, take the following entrii •■ Christopher Rudston, M.A., buried 13th Julj L6S5. "Charles Procter, M. A., succeeded, Inducted 30th Novem ■ . ejected or resigned In 100] " w b.H ni such a disclosure as this? Where is the man whose hear! does nol burn within him at such a narrative ? So much has been written upon the Bubjecf of the ejected Ministers, that it would giving a dry detail t-» recount their troubles down to the time of William 3rd, when Toleration Act relieved them, lhit the- one thing worthy of being held in "ever- lasting remembrance" — theirpastoral fidelity, piety, and firmness, during the awful visita- tion of the plague.f It was at this d trying period, that the difference v betwixt them and the Conformist 8, who now deserted their pulpits, and their flocks, both in town and country, leaving them to the care of their propel' Pastors, Eow forcibly are we reminded, in the narrative of t times, of that significant declaration — " 1 am the good Shepherd — the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep — hut he that LB an hireling, and not the Shepherd, whose oini the sheep are not, seeth the wolf COmetfa and lleeth ; and the wolf oatcheth. and -cattereth, the sheep. The hireling fleeth because h an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good Shepherd, and know my shi ami am known of mine." It has been invidiously remarked, that "Priests are the same in all ages and coun- tries," and, undoubtedly, in a collective new, their courtly sycophancy and w< >rldly-niinded- ness has given plausibility to the sarcasm. To the memoirs, however, of the ejected Ministers, the Layman CSU exultindy point, and say with one of old — "See how those Christians lived." Here wo behold two thousand men giving the surest proof of sin- cerity in the Christian warfare. Of them it is nol merely to be related that "they took joyfully the spoiling of their and t riumphed under cruel mockings — under b mdfl and imprisonment ;" but that life Itself was lighted, when conscience commanded. To them, indeed, death appears t" have had no stiii--, and the grave no tenors. They looked on this world as a "sea of troubles — they Considered death as their haven of POSt, and the}- sighed for heaven ;>s their "native home." i I We have a parallel t" tin-* in the '. [,- t>, \ an li:iu • I. if-' "f '«'* wlill. . vol. '.'. ]. •.•>. ; Banyan, one of tin- nobli (tin, 11 ■! but confined ' ■• Jail), 1 beautiful allegory of the I "groat with a ii, in-,-, nil pi. . nt situation h the wiklerne lofthl world, aj he, "] lighted on a pertain 18 T<> return again, more immediately, to the Subject of I if Old Chapel. 1 must here relate, as in the m «1 appropriate place, a singular discovery which was made in it about four- teen years [\go. A person being employed to whitewash this Chapel, and finding the walls much Mistered, was proceeding to make free use of his scraper, when, lo! under several coats of whitening, some letters in an old character, began to appear, but nobody on the spot could decypher them, or even guess at their meaning. Fortunately I had returned home jnst in time to prevent their being' for ever obliterated; and, after much labour and care, not only succeeded in making them out, but had them restored in their proper size, character and situation, with the antique scrolls also wherewith they had been encom- passed. My trouble, in this concern, was amply compensated by one inscription, which confirmed some former suspicions, and threw a light upon the history of the Chapel. It is a verse out of Proverbs — " My Son, fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change." Now, as the royal coat of arms is still remaining in its original place, with the letters " C. R." on each side of the crown, and also above the lion's head, and the date underneath the whole is 1664, who can be so stupid as not to perceive at what period, by what party, and for what purpose, this monitary text was put up ? For my own part, I have no doubt that it was levelled at Major Great- heed, Captain Oates, and all those who had been privy to the " Farnley Wood Plot," the year before, and it might also be intended as a rebuke to the Republicans throughout the land. As this volume is intended to embrace, as far as his consistent, those curious and inter- esting notices which are only to be collected by various and extensive reading, and the mention of these inscriptions affords me opportunity, I shall here enrich my Work by the following extracts : — "From Howe's Edition of Stowe's Chronicle," as mentioned by Mr. Brand, "-it appears, that on the 17th of November, 1547, (2nd Edward 6th) was begun to be pulled down the Roode in Paul' 8 Church, with .Mary and John, and all other [mages in the Church, and then the like was done in all the place where there w.is a den." How much meaning In a small compass ! He was. at first, a BOldiei <>n t lie side of the parliament. Churches in London, and so throughout England ; and texts of Scripture were written upon the walls of those Churches against images." In "NicholPs Progresses of Elizabeth," also is this passage, "The Queen caused the churchwardens and clergy to wash out of the walls, all paintings which seemed to be Romish, and in lieu thereof suitable texts out of the Holy Scriptures to be written." Be- fore these reigns* crucifixes were generally delineated on the walls of Churches. f and, probably, before crucifixes, but, certainly, during the middle ages, figures of Saints and descriptions of their martyrdoms under the Roman Emperors were common ; but to pro- ceed with my description. Above a little window, on the North-east side of the Chapel, is another verse — " Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God," — a fine text, truly, to be exhibited by a party who had peace only in their months, and persecution only in their hearts — a violent, and unfeeling set, who, at this time especially, were oppressing the consciences and disturbing- the quiet of their fellow creatures to the utmost of their power. On the same side of the Chapel, and West- ward, the inscription is — " Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth." Xext follows, on the North Avail, a verse from Micah — " He hath shewed thee, man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justice, to love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God." And next to this — " Remem- ber now thy Creator in the days of thy youth," &c. Just above this was once the Lord's Prayer, but so much had it been demolished by the underdrawing of the Chapel, that it's restoration probably was impracticable. On the other side of the king's arms it was discovered that there had formerly been the Apostles' Creed, but that also had been too much injured by the back board of the pulpit to be replaced ; and over the whole it seems there once had been the Commandments,^ fragments of which were long remaining in See Archnologla vol. 16. Appendix, p. 405. See also No. 3 in the Appendix to tins volume. I See Dyson's Mag. iirit. vol. 2, p. 4f>7. Gent's Mag. for L800, p. 1181. 1 find an instance of these texts being put up BO late as I71<>. See Gent. Mag. for 1815, p. 495. And I saw Grassmere or Bownesa Church with its walls inscribed in this maimer only last autumn, L828. Aubrey, indeed, tells us that they were anciently written on painted cloths, in the halls and parlours of great houses I lent 3 Mag for 17;';.. vol 85, p. 905. 49 the false roof— but, leaving the Chapel for a short time, let us now resume the account of its Ministers. From the time of Mr. Wales, of whom I have made mention, and who undoubtedly was the Pastor here in Jam eign, 1 cannot trace even the name of a Minister down to the year 1662; bul ab >utthis period I find that -one Mr. Etherington, who had conformed, left Morley, and succeeded one Mr. Bovil, at Bramley."§ This is all the little that I ran state respecting him, and that little, alas ! is very discreditable to his memory. The next person whom 1 find officiating at Morley. butwhether in the Chapel or Meeting- houses it is now imp issible to ascertain, was one Christopher Nesse, who being chosen by our Townsmen as their Paster, approved followed by them generally, and not forced upon them by the Stuart Government, 1 con- sider as the first of thai long line of pi learned, and popular Ministers, of whom we have some authentic memoirs. -The Rev. Christopher Nesse, M.A.. of St. John's College, Cambridge, was the son of Thomas Nesse, of North Cave, in the East- Riding of Yorkshire, where he was born, December 26th, 1621, and educated undei Mr. Seaman. 11 Cambridge, he retired into the country during the Civil War, and preached for a whili Cliffe Chapel under the i his ancle Brearcliffe, an < uiinent di i North Caw. Prom tb •ill to Ilolderness, an few years, to Beverley, whore h< school and pr< ached occa ionally. Dr. W inter being electe I Provost of Trinity Coll Dublin, resigned to Mr. N r esse his living ol Cottingham, near [lull, where he was instru- mental," says Dr. Calamy, ■■ ; n tin sion of many souls, particularly Thomas Raspinl (one of the most substantial pe »ple in the town) when grey hairs were upon him. he was called to Leeds, where also many had cause to blesa < ; "d for him. From the year 1656 to L660, he !turer to Mr. Styles, and upon his d< Dr. Lake afterwards Bishop of Chichester, with whom there was very uncomfortable clashing, and whal was delivered in | Bee 1" I alamj I .Memorial. «, M\ grandmother, on the paternal ride, m I ■omehow related to this gentleman ; and t>: the Influence ol the family, Mr > ibably drawn to Blorlej morning was confuted in tin* afternoon; till August, L662, when Mr. Nesse '• ted informity, preached in private, h appears from his own narrative, in a work called • The Divine Legacy,' that the Duke of Buckingham would Deeds have complimented him into conformity. Upon the pat the Five Mile A.ct (31st October, 1665), he retired to Clayton and from thence to Morley. When the times grew more favourable he had a h<»usc of his own at Eunslet, where he instructed youth, and preached in private till K572. when the main Riding-house being converted to a Meeting-house, he preached publicly there to a numerous auditory. Hav- ing been three limes excommunicated, upon the fourth, there was issued oul a writ de excommun. rap", to avoid which, he removed to London in 1675, and there preached to i private congregation. Be died, December 26th, l7o."). aged 84, and was buried in Bun- hill Fields."— So Far Dr. Calamy. In the Register of Topcliffe, near Morley, hereafter to be noticed, in this entry "Brother Mr. Nesse Leeds, admitted into Church Fellowship, April lMm. 1661— dis- missed to Leeds." The three Lasl word- are written in palci ink. and by another hand. 1 find he had B (Christopher) baptised at 'Pope!' 9th, 1661;— a daughter, (Hannah) May L8th, ,. ;i iid Elizabeth, October 17th, L671 i after whose entrj Mowing minut " Uanuali Rl IcWld ol ►wned it as his own, and sued and the privilege of baptism, uncle • up :,v Qia own i ;i n [ig • and education, was then bapj December, 1671, 13th November, 71.*' 1 insert this as honourable to an old Minister.— Now for an accom l,]iii by " John Dunton, Citizen of London,' 1 in a curious work, published a f< by Nicholls. ' •• Mr. \,. „■.•' saj - Dunton, " a man of considerable learning, but who labours under some unhappiness in his style. He wiitt.-n many practical Tn published a Church History, in OCt»VO,< and an K\p.'-i- ,i, (I1 on the whole Bible.— He wrote for t ne life of Po] e Innocent l Lth, of which the whole impression sold off in two weeks. EGs conversation is both pl easant and infonning. • I possess this very scarce book, and agree with DlU tot!, " -", ' h ".(J much Learning had mad* him wy Dedication;- 50 He continued to preach privately in the darkest times." The times to which Dunton here refers were, unquestionably, between JG02, when the Act of Uniformity passed, and 1 672, when the first indulgences were granted. Now, Hiiiv Mr. Nesse came to Morley after 1GG5, when the persecution was at its height, and left it about L671 or 2, his residence here was very short. It seems very singular that he should have come to Morley at all ; for, after the Five Mile or Corporation Act passed, it is natural to suppose his officiating- here would be dangerous, as coming within that Act. This circumstance alone would convince me that Mr. Xesse preached here privately, and not at the Chapel, but the Meeting-houses ; when, however, I recollect the Whitkirk Register 1 am confounded. Upon the whole, however, the inclination of my opinion is, that Mr. Nesse did not preach at the Chapel, or, if he did, it was but occasionally.! The Chapel, evidently, was at this time in the hands of the Churchmen, whatever may have been penned in ignorance or carelessness, either by Dr. Whitaker or his Copyists, to the contrary; and if .Mr. Nesse was allowed to preach here it must have been by sufferance of the Vicar of Batley, and occasioned by circumstances which are now unknowm. The next person whom I find officiating here is one Mr. Thomas Sharpe, M.A., of Clare Hall, Cambridge, cousin to Archbishop Sharpe, and a Pupil of Tillotson's. He seems to have been a very great, as well as a very good man. Indeed, the celebrity of that family for talents has been handed down to Late times. Dr. Calamy (to whose work I refer the reader) says, that in 1 G72 he took nut, a license, and preached in his own house. whither greal numbers resorted, and that he afterwards preached at Morley. It is not clear from tins whether ho was a stated Minister or a casual supply ; but, whichever was the <■:>-<% his ministry here was short, for we find by a tombstone in the Chapel Yard. ♦ hat "on the 6th <»f !)<•<■.. L675, Mr. Samuel Bailey died, who was Pastor of Morley and Topcliffe;" and, consistently with this, we arc told by Calamy, that when one Mr. StrettOD removed to London, (which was iii 1677) Mr. Sharpe succeeded him in the con- \ I'.S. The fact seems to ho this. The ejected Ministers being very popular, and much respected, and pitied generally, were allowed to prtach in some churches and chapels, though they refused to officiate in any other part of the service. gregation at Leeds. From this it should seem that he supplied, only, at Morley, and had ceased to do so before the election of Mr. Baily. There is, fortunately, preserved to us an Old Register, which once belonged to the Society of Independents, (or Congregation- alists, as they were often denominated,) at Topcliffe, near Morley, and which contains an account of their baptisms, burials, church affairs, disbursements to Ministers, and various other particulars. To me it has been the most interesting document that chance has thrown in my way, as touching the Non- conformists of the seventeenth century, and from it I shall put down a few particulars, for various reasons; but more especially because, under Mr. Baily, that congregation seems, for a short time, to have united with the Presbyterian body at Morley. It appears from this Register, that one Christopher Marshall was pastor of Topcliffe, from 165G to 1G73 ; and that on the 25th of March, L674, Mr. Baily was elected Pastor, and one Gamaliel Marsden, Teacher: both having been admitted into communion with that Church, Nov. 19th, in the preceding year; — that after a lapse of only eighteen months. Mr. Baily died, and was succeeded by Mr. Marsden, who died Minister of Top- cliffe (only) in May, 1681 ; — that from thence till 1(584, that place was supplied by Mr. Josiah Holdsworth — Mr. Jolly,:): and other ejected Ministers; — that down to 1709, Mr. Thos. Elston was the Pastor, upon whose removal to Chesterfield, Topcliffe was again visited by supplies down to 1714, when one Mr. Riley was Pastor, and continued so till 1727 ; — that, at this period, he was succeeded by a Mr. Lax, who remained here till 1736, and seem to have been the last Minister. To avoid confusion, it will perhaps be as well, in this place, to continue my narrative of Topcliffe Society, before I return to the kindred branch ai Morley. About L736, it appears, a Meeting-house was built upon Lee Fair, Upper Green, by the same class of Dissenters as had flourished at Topcliffe, the Chapel, at this place, being converted to a dwelling. The cause of this change seems evident. Topcliffe had been ♦ From an Inquisition taken at Ulackburn, 25th June, 1650. and now in the Library at Lambeth, it appears that Mr. Jolly was, in L650, settled at Altham, in the Parish of Whalley, in Lancashire, Where he was receiving £10 per Annum from the Kectorv, and £30 from the Commissioners. He is styled "An Able Divine." Whitaker's Whalley, vol. 1, p. 1215. 5] resorted to considerably by our villagers, till the beginning of the last century, and pro- bably after the passing* of the Five Mile Act was the chief refuge of our Ministers, as well on account of its privacy as for escaping the penalties of that Act ; — but when the storm subsided, and more especially after the Becond revolution, the scattered flock was collected within its ancient fold. The funds, therefore, of Topcliffe Society, arising from quarter!} collections, became, as indeed the Registei shews, quite inadequate for its uecessary ex- penditure, and a removal to a more populous district was expedient. But, besides that the weigh! of the Top- cliffe interest now lay entirely 0D the Bide of Woodchurch, there was another motive for this removal. "Pastor Elston" had, on the 3rd of February, 1685, married Miss Mary Pickering, granddaughter of Captain Thomas Pickering, an old Republican Officer, who had lived in this neighbourhood; and hi- son, Mr. John Pickering, had both given the Church at Topcliffe, a handsome piece of ground, at Tingley, for a burial-place, and had wholly, or partly, built a wall around it, at his own expense. Convenience, therefore, required that the Minister's House, the Chapel, and Burial Ground, should be broughl as near as possible together; and, accordingly/ when the lasl Minister, Mr. Hesketh, was chosen, « Souse and Chapel was built for him on the Cpper Green. He died about 1 743, leaving behind him nothing but his name to the house (now a cottage) and to a lane near it. for the dissenting interest there, for want of an adequate population, and from the poverty of the neighbourhood, became extinct. The heads of families in the Society at Topcliffe, from 1668 to L688, may be averaged at about thirty in number, the chief of whom was " Madame Elizabeth Uokely ,' Captain John Pickering, Mr . Spencer, Mr. Isaac Balme, Mr. John Wadsworth, and a Mr. Samuel Craister. respecting whom 1 find the following entry, marking the severity of the time-. 11 Oct. 31st, 1677. Mr. Samuel Craister, excommunicated for drunkenness, at Selby, Leeds Pudsey. — an iniquity too frequent with him."' Now, the collections did but average, quar- terly, about six pounds, and this gentleman Btr Gilbert Plokerinf, Baronet, and Colonel John Ploker rthamptonehire, bunUiei wen' eotlvfl parti staunch supporters of Cromwell Bm O, M IBS I was a chief subscriber, 1 have only to add that. a> his name does not afterwards appear, either he left these Congregationalists, or they marked his "iniquity" more forcibly than is usual, for worse . in our tunes. In 1714, when the Whitakere and Dawsons were the chief families at Topcliffe. 1 would jusi note by the way, wine was per bottle, L8. 6d. — a leg Of mutton COSl 1 8. 3d. — and what was called a " Quishing"| tor tin* pul- pit. I Ls. For some years after the demolition of the Chapel on Lee Fair Green, those pen whose relations had worshipped here, or ;tt Topcliffe, occasionally interred their dead in the neglected Burial Ground. Tenderly alive to those sympathies which, if they form not a part of our common nature, seem almost inseparable therefrom, — they preferred the and trouble of bringing them to this solitary spot, to the conveni an easier and Bpeedy interment. Whatever may be the suggestions of philos- ophy and of reason, or the \aunt of man. while in his strength ; in age, and. especially, in sickness, the impulses of nature will be felt. To a feeling mind, the anguish most keen, is that which the sting ol death inflicts, T berefl of those, whose virtues or talent-. whose endearments, innocence. or beauty, ! held an empire in the heart, i- like the very breaking up of om- existence, and ^i\vu indeed Occasions it. SOW natural then the desire of man that, when carried to the grave, he should mingle his dual with those whom he loved, admired, or revered — whose pie-clue seemed accessary to his complete felicity. even in heaven, and whom he hopes to be severed from only for a short BeasotL, Talk of "Consecrated Ground," indeed] — but, 01 what Bpot does man regard like that which is hallowed to him from infancy, as the Sepulchre of his Fathers ': There have been, however, in all a-es, men, so destitute of sympathy, as to resemble the ••\er\ brute- that perish," and, accordingly, we lind that about the middle of the la-t century, one of the Hesketh family sold the Burial Ground at Tingley, to an ancestor of the Rev, Mi. w I, of Tingley House,} who, out of it, enlarged hi- plantations, and, having Bome fish ponds dug about the -kin- of it, | Thlfl ffH UM uiii-uiit pHNMUM •i.itmn of i-usliiuii . i mi wi> ut.u Informed, bi o f e.>- Ffertrtth fimHj. that there «a« an express ondtfUndlng that the fi . not i«- v mi i\ 52 strange havoc hag been made anion-- the bones of the dead. The few tombstones remaining, Borne broken, and all in disorder, shew, plainly, how they have been tossed about, and )\\>t left where accident has casl them : besides which, there are none of th risible, which I have repeatedly soughl with some eagerness. I mean the slabs which I must have been Laid over the remains of these excellent men, Christopher Marshall, Gamaliel Marsden, and Josiah Holdsworth. Should they, at some future period, be discovered at the bottom of a fish pond, or covered with rubbish, and should the owner of the property be animated with that kindly and liberal feel- ing which adorns the present possessor, they will certainly be restored to public view. "The Rev. Christopher Marshall, ejected from Woodchurch in 1662, was Minister there, under the protectorate of Cromwell, in 1656. He was bom in Lincolnshire, and educated, partly at Cambridge and partly at Boston, in New England. He was a Congregationalist — a good scholar, of considerable abilities, and of a serious spirit, but inclined to mel- ancholy, meeting with many personal and domestic afflictions. After being ejected, he lived privately among his people, in a house of his own. Upon the Five Mile Act he went to live at Horbury,§ but returned again, and preached privately." It does not appear, from the Register, what interruption he met with; but Dr. Calamy informs us, " he was imprisoned, with several of his brethren, on account of a plot, but came clear off, there being nothing found against him." This, I am confident, was the " Parnley Wood Plot," to which most of the ejected Ministers here were privy, especially Gamaliel Marsden, and his brother Jeremy. It is manifest that the former escaped to Holland on account of it, but that many of his cloth were arrested, and, amongst others, Mr. Thomas Jolly, and Mr. Root. Mr. Marshall died in February, l»>7:i. aged 51).* "The Rev. Gamaliel Marsden ejected from Chapel le Brears, near Halifax, and a Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, was turned mih of the latter upon the Restoration, and then came to Knglaiid.f He had but five pounds when he landed at Liverpool, and knowing s This is a proof, conclusive, <>f my accuracy in a mriit which will be hereafter Been, aa respecting Jami Nailor, of Ardsley, • jil.tiiiy, vol. 2, p. :,!'.). t Vol. 2, p. 668. He was brother to Jeremiah Marsden, ejected from Anlsey Chapel, of whom an inters ting accounl mav be found in p 562 of the same Work. oobody, he resolved to '^^ to Coley, where his father had been Minister long before. Here he found friends, and was fixed, as Minister, until he was turned adrift a second time, in L662. Be afterwards fled into Eolland (doubtless on account of the " Farn- Icy Wood Plot"), and, at his return, about 1672, he taught some student-, at Hague Hall, philosophy, &c." Be is said to have been a good classic, and a hard student, but not a very pleasing Preacher. He was a moderate Congregationalist. and. apparently, a man of great integrity. He succeeded Mr. .Marshall, at Topcliffe, as before mentioned — died May 25th, 1681. aged 47, and was buried at Tingley. It is unnecessary for me to say more respecting the Topcliffe Ministers. Whatever I may think of their religious opinions, I can have no doubt they were good men, and true patriots. Whoever wishes to learn more as to their supplies, such as Mr. Holdsworth, Mr. Jolly, Mr. Root, Mr. Bloom, and others mentioned in the Register, may consult the second volume of Calamy' s Memorial, who was misinformed as to Holdsworth' s inter- ment. That took place at Tingley, July 29, 1685. Besides these gentlemen, however, I find that Mr. Oliver Heywood, Mr. Dawson, Mr. Izots, Mr. Whitehurst, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Naylour, Mr. Ray, Mr. Lister, and others mentioned in the Memorial, all of them ejected Ministers, except the last, occasion- ally officiated at Topcliffe, and the remunera- tion for each Sabbath-day's services was just seven shillings, though some of them travelled a long distance. I mention this as greatly to the credit of these venerable men, who were not day labourers, beardless men, or little tradesmen, but some of them, University Scholars, and all of them well educated. To persons acquainted with local circum- stances, it will not be 1 matter of surprise that the religious societies of Topcliffe and Lee Fairshould have ceased, while that at Morley flourished. The Dissenters at the former places generally, have been a poor people, unable, of themselves, to support a Minister, and obliged, very considerably, to draw upon the bounty of those in London, who had the management of their funds, for the use of such charities. And this they did through the medium ol a Mr. Stretton, receiving the monies by the hand of a Mr. Jackson. But at Morley i he case was different — many people of tolerable fortune frequented the Old Chapel, about which the population increased with the increase of the woollen trade. The Ministers, also here, being (what were called) Presbyterians, were more learned, if not more popular, than the Independents ;J compared with whom however (apart from their reli- gious dogmas), they cul but a poor figwe in the history of the seventeenth century. Then, however, the Presbyterians had the tide in their favour ; so much so indeed, here, that there were regular hearers at the Old Chapel from Scholecroft, Birstal, Gildersome, and all the neighbouring villages. In fact, within my recollection even, several people have come to it in the good, social, old-fashioned, way of travelling- -••Darby and Joan," bumping upon one horse, like Queen Elizabeth and her Lord Chamberlain, and quite as unconscious of there being any thing grotesque or ludicrous in the exhibition, as cither her majesty or her lawyers. But Meeting-ho have so multiplied in these parts that the building, formerly a stable, and dining-room above it. for the distant Members of this Society, have been of late converted into a cottage for the sexton. The circumstance, however, which has mosl supported the interest here, is the endowment by Lord by means of their Pai house and land, added t<> the quarterly collec- tions, the Trustees were able formerly, without the aid of any oilier fund, to support a Pafl of respectable e lucation, and even attach him to the village. Nol in a state of haughty independence, or of abjeel servility, bul in that middle state, in which insolence on the one hand, and indolence on the other, are best excluded. The Ministers of former times, be it here noted, were a different people, and differently circumstanced, from what they now very generally, amongsl Dissenters. They had commonly a small private fortune of their own, and the fruits of their labours, in a pecuniary view, served only in these •• // ugal" time-, a- an auxiliary to a e.nufort- able subsistence. Being gentlemen ly educa- tion too, and not unfrequently ly birth, and engaging in the work of the minis! i y from a belter motive than that of avoiding the toils of trade, they came not to settle in pL such as Morley, like paupers passed to their l One of the best, and most consistent, nun of I tin- celebrated Henry Burton, who suffere i a dreadful i i ration with Prynneand Bastwick (.both Presbyterian*] Few people are aware how interesting his life would he. if \\<-!l written, hut few Indeed could procure the materlala for roofa a Work. The copy, in the lSritiih Museum, of that written by himself is. perhaps, unique. parishes — without furniture, a library, or a wardrobe ; and, least of all, did they come without that stock of information and repute which is essentially requisite in a Christian Past.r. In writing of these gentlemen 1 left off in a former page with Mr. Daily, who was not one of the ejected Minister.-, and who sur- vived Ins •• Call " to this place only i months. After his death our forefathers had supplies at their private houses, amoi whom may be numbered Mr. Thomas Sharp. Mr. Oliver Heywood, Mr. Joseph Daw - and perhaps Mr. Ilawdeii. who is interred at the West-end of the Chapel. All these WOTS ejected .Mini' . was also the next out Pa-tor. who came here 77. The Rev. Robert Pickering, M.A.. of >id- lambridge, was born at rlippax. ••lie was," jays Dr. Calamy, lt a modest, humble, pious man- a I scholar, and a Useful preacher. When ejected he mailita his integrity. He was sometime Chaplain to Dinely, Esquire, of Bramhope, whence he removed to Morley,* and continued his labours there till a few day- before he died, t >ber l ith. L680, aged 1 1 yi are. Upon his tombstone it Ls Btated that, ' He accounted himself the meanest servant in the work of Jesus ( Ihrist.' " 1 1 is impossible now to determine when the Dissenters in this village assembled for religi ins worship during the ministry of Mr. Pickering, and, indeed, after the Restoration ; but that it was at some -ion. I h ■.<%■<• reason t<> think Hi Pickering I bii family, lived at i hurwell . ; events, th< | lived tiu-re in \ l hi'..- little doubi dot. befi re tl a, or •ven before tbe reign «->f • harlot let, many ••( tbo I nnrafa vicrgy • ii.ii., Hi for, their gifti la extempore prayer s ee wn r 54 with great pleasure and enlargement of heart." AltlK ugh it is said by Mr. Fawcett, in his Life of ITeywood. that " he obtained favour in the eyes of some Churchwardens and Con- formist Ministers so far as to be admitted, occasionally, into their Churches and Chapels. where lie spoke the word of God with bold- ness ; that his auditors were numerous, and that an abundant blessing attended his labours, particularly at Idle, Bramley, Parn- ley, Morley. Pudsey, and Eunslet;" yet at one time 1 doubted, very much, whether, at the times alluded to, he preached in our Chapel, however he might have done so after the second Revolution. For, in the first place, the Act of Uniformity, and other Acts. were in full force against him. Secondly, it is manifest Dissenting Teachers were much persecuted even after the first Indulgences of 1672, yea, even after the year 1079. Thirdly. the calling their place of assembly a " Meeting- house" (by Mr. Heywood) formed a pre- sumption of some weight : but, fourthly, and what staggered me the most ay as, the undoubted fact, that even so late as James 2nd's reign, the service and ceremonies of the Church of England were actually per- formed at our Old Chapel. Now this appeared to me such a mass of evidence against Mr. Fawcett' s assertion,! that I really believed him to have been mistaken — but the Whit- kirk Register overcomes me, and confirms his accuracy. That this Chapel was seized by the Church- men, at the time of the Restoration, is manifest from two circumstances — one is the Royal Coat of Arms, still bearing date, 1G64, as before mentioned — the other (and which also proves that it was retained till the second Revolution or after it) is the actual existence of the Service-book which, by good fortune, has been preserved, and which shews that the Liturgy of the Church of England was read in this Chapel in the reign of dames the 2nd; for in it are prayers for "James — for Mary Catherine, the Queen Dowager — Mary — Princess of Orange, and the Princess Ann of Denmark;" and at the beginning, in an old fashioned hand, is written Morhy instance in Strype's Life of Bishop Aylmer, p. t:i. See also a Note (I think) to Claudius Buchanan's celebrated Sermon of " The Star in the Kast." I I observe l)r. Cahuuy also Bays of Oliver llcyw 1, that he preached in the Chapels of these places after the Five .Mi It- Act, so that, though they did Dot read the Service, thev evidently preached in spite of the kcts, 18 and 14 Charles i\u\, ch. 4, sections 19th and '.'1st 16th I harles 2nd, ch, 6, see. 7. Town's Book Common Praers. That it was not used after L688 is probable, inasmuch as in the prayers for the Royal Family, no erasure of the word James and substitution of William appears ; besides which, we know- that not long after the Dynasty of the Stuarts terminated, the Chapel was restored to its rightful proprietors. That this Chapel was not restored till some time after the second Revolution, is proved by the Parsonage-house, which was built by the Dissenters here about 1G88, as appears, not only by the architecture of it, but by a curious document which I proceed to notice. — L have in my possession a Certificate of License to perform religious worship in a house which, for near one hundred and forty years, has been called " the Parsonage." It seems to have been the license first obtained after the " Toleration Act " had passed, and the purport of it (part in Latin) is as follows : At the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of our Lord and Lady, the King and Queen, held at Leeds by adjournment from another place in the West- Riding, the 13th day of July, in the first year of the reign of our Lord and Lady, William and Mary, now King and Queen of England, before John Kaye, Bart., Marmaduke Went worth, William Lowther, Knts., William Norton, John Town- ley, Robert Ferrand, Esqrs., and others, our Justices, — " These are to certifie whome it may con- cerne, that the house called the built by the inhabitants of Morley, within the said West Riding. — was recorded at the Sessions abovesaid, for a Meeting-place for a Con- gregation or Assemby for religious worship, according to the form of the Statute in that case made and provided." Upon the back of this Certificate, in an old hand, is written — " This is the Certificate for the Chapel or Public Meeting-place at Mor- ley," which my grandfather, who died an aged man, in 1779, thus expounds — " Taken," says he, " for what is now the Parsonage- house, which was the Meeting-house for se- veral years after the Revolution, and was built by the inhabitants of Morley. S. and T. S.*'l773. One thing observable upon the face of this Certificate is, that the whole of it seems writ- These are the initials of Samuel and Theodosie Scatcherd, whose attachment to each other was remarkable, and fatal at last to the former, as he never was himself again after her loss. " They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths they were not divided." 00 ten by the Clerk of the Court, except the words — " called the " — which are in another hand, and have been defaced by a dash of the pen ; and except also the words — " built by the inhabitants of Morley " — which have been cautiously and timorously inserted, instead of the words — ;t Parsonage-house." These, evi- dently, were in the mind of this wary In- struetor, as he was dictating to the Clerk a description of the promises — but lie suddenly pauses and declines to say — *• Parsonage- house;" probably through some dread of those harpies who had pounced upon the Chapel itself at the return of " the beloved." lie, therefore, elects to have it considered as a house ".built by the inhabitants of Morley," For worshipping " the God of their Fathers" after their own form. It is manifest, therefore, from this Certifi- cate and the Indorsement that, in 1689, the Dissenters at Morley had not. in fact, re- gained possession of their Chapel : for had it been then in their possession the License would, unquestionably, have been gotten for this their Meeting-place, and nol for the dwelling of the Minister. Nay. h even ap- pears thai thi'\ so little expected Its "resto- ration" a- t'» build, about this very time. Upon a part of the land which they had on lease, reunite from the Chapel, nol <>nl\ a house for their Pastor, but a Meeting-ho under the same roof. This fact is not only proved by tradition, but the very interior of the building -hews it. Ii is a house display- ing two fronts — that on the South was the dwelling, and on the West was the Chapel. Of late years this ha- been much altered and modernised : but. within my recollection even, its window [millions and jambs, and the slight wainscotted partition betw< en the houi parlour, showed it t<» have forme I; c iuted but one room, I have just stated that the Minister's house was built about the year I 688 ; and that ii was not built much before that time, is to me evident, from a comparison of it with • other dwellings in Morley, which fortunately have dates upon their front-. One house, for i e, near Morley hole, the property of a Mr. Cawthorne, bear- date 1681. Another, which formerly was the residence of John Dawson, Esq., the father of Lady Lough- borough (in L789) hears date his.".; and another, the property of Mr. Swinden, sur- geon; was built by <>ne of the Huntington family, about the same time. At Adwalton, Gfldersome, &&, there are also several of these houses with date- upon them, and all so similar that whoever baa paid attention t<. the domestic architecture Of Charles 2nd's reign will recognise them at a --lance. Under all circumstances, it is highly probable that the " Parsonage-boose " was built in 16 when .Mr. Dawson wa- invited to settle at Morleys hut that it was finished in 1689 b proved by the License, and it discovers acir- cumstance very material to this history — namely, that even -<• late as this period, our forefather- had uot regained possession of their Chapel. lint here my neighbours will be ready I.. ask me — When, and by what means, was this event brought about? — to which question it is, with me. a matter of regret that I cannot return a satisfactory answer; for, in spite "i all my inquiries, a dark shadow must evei on this page of my Work. It may be as- sumed, however, 1 think, that the event transpired sometime between L693« and 1 6 when many known Dissenters returned t<. their Chapel. A- to the other part of the question, the traditionary account is all that I can i sent. Of its truth, however (coming to me as it has done from the lips of truth.) I hav< qo doubt. It appears then, thai although the Stuart Government had the cruelty to deprive our ancestors of their place of worship, it -till considered, thai altogether to eject the Trustees under a Lease from the Lord of the .Manor, of what was. unquestionably, his freehold, would be rather fcoo barefaced ;( violation of both law and equity, and it, therefore (partly (abstained from such violence. This wa-. certainly, wonderful in men who stuck ai nothing when their will wa- opposed, and had even (he presumption t<» set up them- selves i" tolerate the Almighty, t-> receive the homage of Sis creatures | — but .-.. it was. Our brave forefathers, therefore true t" their trust- constant in their principles, and in- censed at the tyrannj of their oppressors, kept ,i resolute hold of their land in lease, and appropriated its produce t" the support of a Ith, hat ible • ntry " Though thii d»j ■ tag Hi- birth, rrtuni and tr ■ mmiBo taken •'( It, iiur :iny ]>;irt ■■( : ■ . I \ . ! » I aUudc to ti eras I tioi t" Intolerance, i-ut the i ml} 56 pious and enlightened Ministry of their own choice. Of course it would happen that, ex- cept the pitiful trifle which arose out of bap- tismal or burial dues, there could be no fund for payment of a Curate's salary ; and the Vicar of Batley very naturally became tired of an expense which was no less hurtful to the people of Morley than to himself. At the time of which I write, the state of parties in the neighbourhood presented a spec- tacle rather singular. The Vicar's Deputy and an old Clerk, called Stainer,:f with scarce a dozen people, formed all the congregation at the Chapel, while the meeting-houses at Morley and Topcliffe were crowded. Where- ever the true Pastor — the ejected Minister — appeared, the flock were gathered, while the presence of a Conformist was like a signal to retreat. Common decency, therefore, at last required that an end should be put to a farce within the Chapel, which had become quite as unprofitable, and far more unpopular, than the Pantomime of St. Dunstan and his Priests in the Saxon ages. Mr. Dawson, the last of our ejected Ministers, had the honour of gathering the scattered sheep within their ancient fold. " Mr. Joseph Dawson,"* says Dr. Calamy, "was ejected from Thornton Chapel ; he lived, after his ejectment, near Halifax, and preached near Birstal. He was a very pious and learned man — of great esteem for his integrity, pru- dence, humility, and meekness. Of a very venerable aspect — a hard student, and an affectionate preacher, who naturally cared for the good of souls, unwearied in labours — very successful in his ministry, and who had a good report of. all men. Even in his advanced age he travelled to a considerable distance, at all seasons of the year, to preach to a poor people, and took as much care to serve them as though they could have given him a large salary. He was a considerable sufferer, by reason of his strait circumstances, ami his having a numerous family, yet he never repented <>f his Nonconformity." u The Rev. Joseph Dawson, of Morley," says John Dunton,f who Knew him well, " is a grave and reverend Minister of Jesus Christ — an Israelite indeed, in whom there is J The funnel through which thj Brook at Morley Mows is called "Stuincr Brig/' from the circumstance of this old Clerk having lived near it. Inspecting Mr. Dawson's family see Cent. Mag., vol. 82, p. •>; t Sec "Life and Krrors of John Dunton, Citizen of Lon- don," published a few years ago, by Nichols. no guile — an angelical man for meekness — another Moses — a man of such a holy, exem- plary, conversation, and venerable behaviour, as gains him respect and reverence from all men — a deep divine, of great ministerial paits and abilities, and of a sweet and happy del i very. Being affectionately desirous of t he good of souls, he is willing to impart unto them, not the Gospel of God only, but his own soul also, because they are dear to him ; exhorting and charging every one, even as a father does his children. Though he is now such another as Paul, the aged, being in the 70th year of his life, yet he is as indefatiga- ble and dilligent in his duty as if but just entered on his work ; as our blessed Saviour before him, doing the work of Hun that sent him while it is day, before the night comet h, when no man can work. In a word, he is a burning and shining light, a very pattern of holiness, meekness, humility, and zeal for God's glory — one whose conversation i^ in Heaven. He trained up four young men, all sons of a friend of mine, in academical learning ; three of whom are now in the ministry, and do worthily for God and their generation." On the death of Mr. Dawson in June, 1709, at the age of 73, the Trustees of Mor- ley Chapel chose the Rev. Mr. Timothy Aired to be their minister. Some of the MSS. of this gentleman, in my possession, show him to have been an able Latin scholar and Scrip- ture critic. From those who knew him, I have heard that he was a man of uncommon information and worth. His handwriting, at the age of 80. was beautiful. The name of Aired, Alured, or Aldred (for it is variously written) is of frequent occur- rence, and famous in English History. Col. John Alured and his brother Matthew, were celebrated officers during the Civil War. and served their country under the Protectorship of Cromwell. The former was Col. of Horse under the Karl (A' Bedford — a member of Par- liament, and one of the Commissioners and Judges appointed for frying Charles Stuart. Kin- of England, whose death-warrant he signed. In L657, these brothers, with another named Lancelot, were amongst the Commis- sioners, appointed by the Government, for raising an assessment in England for three months, and were nominated for the East Hiding of Yorkshire. But Aired, which is only a contraction for Ealred or Ealdred, is a name of high antiquity, and well known as 57 having- been borne by some of our Saxon Monarchs, as well as by that Archbishop of York, who set the crown on the head both of Harold J and the Conqueror. It was during the ministry of Mr. Aired that the Chapel was underdrawn, theChaucel, Vestry, or Village School (whatever it was), having doubtless boon laid open to it about 1693. This underdrawing" seems to have been a grand effort in the estimation of our thrifty, economical, forefathers, to whom Mr. Aired preached upon this occasion from the text — '• Jle is worthy for whom ye have done lliis: He hath loved our Nation, and built us a Synagogue." Mr. Aired, undoubtedly, knew far more about the place than any one now living; and 1 am not sine thai he does ao\ by this text intimate, indirectly, by what religious party the Chape] was built. .Mr. Aired would certainly have shone as an author had he published, but he has left. alas! to posterity only a few MS. Sermons. Criticisms, and Latin Essays. lie seems to have devoted an uncommon portion of time to his beloved Classical mid Ministerial studies during' the long period of fifty-four year-, combating- very frequently the tenets of the celebrated John Wesley upon instantaneous conversion, and Christian perfection, with a talent and temper highly creditable to him as a preacher, a gentleman, and a scholar. Upon the resignation of Air. Aired in 1763, the Trustees invited the Re\ . Thomas Morgan to settle here, and he was vvvry way worthy of their choice. He was a uativeof Caer- marthen in Wales — a perfect gentleman of the old school, without any of its frivolity; a well-informed, serious, and modest man. Hi- sermons, during the last thirty years of his ministry, like his prayers, were quite extem- poraneous, yet the matter was generallv sen- sible, well connected, and studiously adapted to the capacities of his auditory. His voice was excellent — but the greatesl praise of Mr. Morgan was the warmth and animation with which he expressed his thoughts. He spoke in the pulpit as one " having authority" — as one convinced of the importance of his work, and of his responsibility for the porformance of it. yet without any of that rant, or cant, or theatrical display, which is disgusting lo men of sense and of liberal education. Ho aever related fanciful stories, much les^ did ne labour to prove self-evident propositions, as that k *Sin is an Evil," and such other I Hume, vol. 1., pi 179-':aG. palpable truism^ as prove themselves; yet I cannot bestow unqualified commendation even upon Mr. Morgan; for, with all his good sense, he would often expatiate upon topics unedifying — incapable of proof, repugnant to reason, and which no man upon earth ever did — ever will — or ever can, comprehend. The aspect of Mr. Morgan was uncom- monly tine, — his demeanour the most reverend and dignified I ever beheld — That venerable form and countenance indeed I can never forget — It stood erect — it looked upwards, as though it i \er contemplated a something beyond this life. Such, in a word, ii was, that if 1 had met with it upon the plains of Indostan I musl have paid it homage. Upon the subjeel of religion the sentiments of Mr. Morgan appear to have been very similar to those of the celebrated Baxter. — l pon the doctrines of the Trinity and the Atonement lie m a- very " orthodox." Although, however, no man was more tenacious of his principles than .Mr. Morgan, he was tolerant and liberal inwnrd.s others; and he seems to have been most partial to well educated ministers of the same spirit. His connections were with the Pastors of the denomination called •■ Presbyterian," com- prehending the Unitarians, with whom and a few Baptists, who also had access to his pulpit, he was very cordial : but from all other sects and parties he kepi aloof with a peculiar stateliness and dignified reserve. At no period, perhaps, was the polpif of the Old chapel graced by ministers of such extraordinary learning and talent as it was in Mr. Morgan's time. Here, occasionally, officiated the ministers of Mill-Hill,' (.'all- Lane, and Stone Chapels, in Urds ; — of Westgate, in Wakefield; — of Nbrthgate End, in Halifax.; — of Chapel Fold, in Bradford; besides the pastors at Pudsey, Warley, Lid- gate, EUand, &c., all of them gentlemen of extensive information, independent of their ministerial qualifications. Tiny were Mich, even in a companionablet point <>\ view, as any person might be proud to introduce to an acquaintance. When, indeed, the name only of Priestley i- mentioned — that great man whose title-, conferred by the learned societies Dr. Priestley, I bellere, dM not officiate ban more Una i One <>r two i bave baud touching ii» rloloaoeUo tad barOeiehord, and ringing at their own bona . rerj iwcttlj andaclentlfleaUj tad lereral who oonld attract and Bj attention of ■ •octal part] t"i imuh i>y their lively anecdote, innocent mirth, and oharming elocution. 58 throughout Europe, would almost fill b page; or thai of his successor^ the Rev. William Wood, F.L.S. — the reaijer may, perhaps, form some idea of their associates. Mr. Morgan was a contributor t" the Gen- tleman's Magazine, upon his Favourite sub- jects of Fossiology and Antiquities, and the author (amongsl othertracts) of ■• An Appeal to the Common Sense of Plain and Common Christians." 'Phis •• Appeal " was intended as a preservative againsl the supposed heresies of Dr. Priestley, then the minister at Mill- Jlill. who replied to it in a strain of severity very uncommon from him, and scarcely becoming the occasion. The connection between the Societies of Mill-Hill and Morley at length was interrupted by the freedom of thought in which that great philosopher and polemic indulged ; but was afterwards renewed by Mr. Wood — one of the best and brightest of his species, and whose kind attentions to his brother here, in the trying season of age and sickness, are well remembered. Were 1 to state the particulars of that curious controversy in which our old Parson and Dr. Priestley engaged, the reader might as justly complain of me as James 1st did of the Cambridge Pedants, and on the same score — on the score of " tediosity." — I shall, therefore, only observe that the craft of the Doctor was seldom more amusingly displayed than upon this occasion. Our worthy " Taffy " — honest simple-hearted man — according to the fashion of the day. and the practice of controversialists, collected all the texts, and isolated passages in Scriptures, supposed to favour his tenets on the Trinitarian Subject, or that of the Atonement, and encountered his opponent with great gravity. Like most of the " Orthodox," he appears to have imagined that the victory lay on the side of him who could quote most of them. But he had to do with a man who had exi'vy species of artillery and destructive weapon at com- mand — the most formidable knight that ever appeared in the tilts and tournaments of spiritual dispute — a champion who bearded the High Priest of the Jewish Synagogue — broke a lance with the author of "The Ruins of Empires" — defeated the formidable Yolney — trampled on the Pope and his Cardinals at Pome, and set at, nought the \cry Hierarchy of England. How ludicrous then must have been this contest in the eyes of literary men '. It exhibited a scene which, doubtless, would excite the laughter of many. It wa> a giant playing with a dwarf. Of all men in the world the Doctor was the leasl likely to be found " arguing in a circle" with any antagonist. I lis acute and com- prehensive mind, formed for science and enamoured with learning, delighted most in what was demonstrable or probable in solid argument, in historical evidence, in logical or philosophical deductions, in matters of fact. or of rational speculation. He was not the knight-errant who would fight with wind- mills, and pursue an Ignis fatuus over the bogs and bulrushes of rotten ground. He loved to come to a point at once, and to vanquish an opponent by the shortest course. Perceiving, therefore, that there was no chance of grap- pling his Orthodox Brother in the routine of quotation which lie pursued, this wily and experienced champion made so masterly a feint as had well nigh drawn the other from his trenches. Suddenly changing his position, he sent forth a challenge to Mr. Morgan, calling upon him, " as in honour hound'' to proclaim his opinions on the subject " of Uva will," or k - the ability of man to do the will of God." It was a grand manoeuvre, and con- ducted in the most masterly manner. Had it succeeded — had our Parson been caught in this theological trap, every bone in his skin would have been broken. But Providence has given to its creatures a sagacity or cunning whereby the weak are often saved from the machinations of the strong; and so it was manifested in this in- stance, for Old Orthodox, perceiving the danger which lay before him, retreated, leav- ing his challenger disappointed; and who, being provoked by something which was never explained to me, let drop an expression " at parting' ' which was often echoed through our village. As I received it the purport was — ik lIow dare you, Sir, contradict me, who are only known to the world by the six- penny pamphlet you have published."* Had there been no other "bone of conten- tion " betwixt these 1 excellent men than such as is adverted to, if can hardly be supposed that so intemperate a reflection would have been dropped by oik^ of so mild and benevolent a nature as Avas the Doctor; but politics al this period were much agitated in the nation, Whether this appears In as " IntelliKencer " Newspaper, printed at Leech), in 1771, or not, 1 am unable to say, I state the thing merely as a rumour, hut I well remember from whom I heard it ; ami that person being adverse to the Doctor in religious sentiment, the words may be qualified. and parties ran high. Those letters of match- less elegance, the compositions of Junius, were well nigh finished ; bat the ardour of con- troversy which they excited was still fervent, and the subsequent unfortunate f events so far increased it that every man's mind became known — neutrality, indeed, was impossible. The freedom of debate, excited by a few bold, free, and independent spirits, soon led dis- cussion upwards, from men and measures, to "the Rights of Man." and the comparative superiority of governments. But these specu- lations were regarded generally as "daring {lights." as dangerous in politics, as reason in religion, and our Philosopher was stigmatized, for thirty years and upwards, after this con- troversy, as a "Jacobin,"! a "Republican," and an " Infidel." Now, though Mr. Morgan was as guarded in his speech as lie was reserved in other respects, it was not difficult to discover in him a politician of the "old school," one whose maxim was, that "whatever is is right." Who considered England (including Wales of course) as the grandest of all possible nations — its king as the best of all possible kings, and its government as the wisest of all governments? From the recollection which 1 have of this good man, 1 am quite satisfied that he regarded the Doctor as a restless spirit, and a vissioriary, whoso schemes of government were quite " Utopian ;" and I think it not improbable that he would, by occasional bursts of his national vehemence, do some justice to the text — " My Son fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change." But our Philosopher had, from infancy, been accustomed to doubt — to reason and to demonstration. He calmly contemplated effects and causes — took nothing upon trust, but looked into men, as he did into nature, with the eye of an eagle. Ee seems to have considered that the declining to take an active and decided part in critical times, indicated a culpable indifference to the interests of the Commonwealth; and that the season of re- form, both in Church and State,§ had ton long been delayed. The opinions of ;i •• Pangloss" in politics, he put upon a level with his nrgu- t The reader may well suppu.se that I allude especially to the American War ; It is my particular wish to have such matters as these put upon record. They will be an accompaniment, suitable to the history of the Birmingham Riots, and that of the general feel ing and intelligence <>f the nation, in the latter part of the la.st century, lee Life <»f Win, Hutton, a book which every man ought to read ment in metaphysics, [f made subservient to pecuniary advantage, his contempt no doubt would be moved • but if they were the offspring* of ignorance and timidity, his anger also would be roused. At all events he re- garded them as less unaccountable in a Churchman than a Protestant Dissenter. Such are my ideas of two venerable men worthy of a better age than that in which they lived, and of a better country. Though in the collision of controversy they might emit a few momentary sparks, their natures were incapable of long resentment. Their i in perfections -were but as spots upon the disk of the sun — transient and trivial. In after life they reg*arded each other as " brethren," and though separated for a short season, by sentiment, by the waters of the Atlantic ocean, and the "still — cold stream of death," the} r are gone. 1 doubt not. to that world where they see no more " as through a glass —darkly;" but " face to face." The gentleman-like conduct, at all times displayed by Mr. Morgan, was never more conspicuous than it was upon his receiving his "call'' to settle at Morley, signed by nearly all the Trustees, and approved, generally, by the congregation here. On looking over the names he perceived one to be wanting which he considered as highly respectable, and he, therefore, returned a polite answer, declining to come here on that ground. This occasioned a letter from the Trustee in question, nearly in the following words — " Dear Sir. "The only reason why my signa- ture to your invitation has not been added to that of the other Trustees is briefly this. I was out upon a journey, as you know, during most of the time you were ] (reaching as a canditate at Morley: and I. therefore, had not sufficient means of judging, either of your teuetS or qualifications; but let me entreat you to come, and not be discouraged on my account. If I like your ministry 1 shall regularly ;it tend upon it; but if otherwise depend upon me I will give you no cause iov uneasi- ness Oil my account whatever." This candid and libera] declaration was succeeded bv a strong attachment to .Mr. $ Time, which "tries .-ill things." baa at uwt settled the grand of columns, but marking- the hands into which it has fallen by Sectarian inelegance and frugality" When a man. eiosetted up in a postchaise, tlies over a country direct like a swallow in April — hovering but for a moment over those villages which come within the line of his journey, and resting only on the pinnacles of 41 established''' Churches ; making* little use of his eves and none of his ears — making' no inquiries where knowledge might be gained, and shewing no courtesy where assistance might be offered, it is easy to perceive how well qualified he must be for the task of topographical authorship, and how much he must have in him of the curiosity and ardour of a real Antiquary. Did old Hutton, of Bir- mingham, pursue this course ? Had Dr. Whitaker remained one hour in this village — had he made himself known — had he given a gentleman of my acquaintance an opportunity of shewing him " old English hospitality" — that gentleman I know would have been gratified — his son would have been honoured, and the Doctor would have done more credit to his profession, if not justice to the public. It would be difficult to find in any topo- graphical work, except the one alluded to, a piece of writing which, within the same com- pass, displays so much petulence, illiberality, superficial observation, and ignorance of positive facts. When dates indeed, and inscriptions, stare a man in the face, and he is, moreover, respectfully f referred to those who are not only willing but happy to impart information ; but he yet turns away in disdain, and, dipping his pen in gall, sends forth to the world such a passage as here is extracted, he lays himself open to animadversion, and justifies the inquiry — Where must have been the eyes, and where the ears, of such a com- mentator ? As this volume contains an answer to \)\\ Whitaker's assertion respecting the Chapel, I shall only advert here to the last clause — •■Still it retains much of the form of a Church, having a choir and two side aisles supported upon wooden pasturns instead of columns, but marking the hands into which it has fallen by Sectarian inelegance mid frugality." Many years ago 1 remember to have seen t This I was credibly Informed took place. The Doctor w« j , very properly, Invited by a neighbour (who procured him the keys of the < lhapel) to call upon one who would In- happy to s«e imd give iiim all tin- local Information in Ids powei ft ml wtw besides himself ui) Antiquary, a print published in derision of the conceits of antiquaries. It represented several of these gentry with spectacles and other glasses, poreing over a stone purposely prepared for them by an arch wag. who by a curious device had contrived that it should he unintel- ligible to them, but, by being inverted, should be read by ])eople in the secret. Upon it was inscribed an epitaph on an old woman, who sold earthenware, at Chester. •' Beneath this stone lies Catherine Gray, " Chang'd to a lifeless lump of clay ; " By earth and clay she got tier pelf, " But now, she's chang'd to earth herself. " Ye weeping friends let me advise, " Abate your grief and dry your eyes. " For what avails a flood of tears, " Who knows, but in a run of years, " In some tall pitcher or broad pan, " She in her shop may be again." Now the antiquaries being obliged to read it one way, and the initiated reading it another ; the characters of the letters also being curious, it ma} T well be imagined that the former are sadly at a loss for an explana- tion ; but unable to give it, their various con- jectures as to the high antiquity of this precious relic are truly ludicrous. Yet, not much more so than Dr. Whitaker's conceit in the above extract. Nonconformist reader ! if thou canst enjoy a joke, first survey the Chapel at Morley, and next the old Tithe Barn at Birstal, observing, especially, their wooden pasturns — not columns, and, then, if thou wouldest have the latter building to retain " much of the form of a Church," '• having a choir and side aisles," listen to my instructions. If thou canst purchase it, employ a few masons to remove the front and back Avails of this Barn, which they will easily do, with the aid merely of a few props, and by gallows- ing up the rafters, as the weight of the roof is not so much upon the walls, as on the " inelegant pasturns." Next step, for widen- ing your Church, and getting your " side aisles," let two walls be run up about eighteen qr twenty feet from your "pasturns" or line of the former fence, and lay upon your new walls some wall-plates with brackets or spurs. Then place some strong rafters with their ends resting on the pan-plate at top, and these spurs at the bottom. Throw some good ** side waivers " along the full length of your building, adding such spars as may be neces- sary for your laths, and the support of your new slate. Having now taken care that your windows have proper mullions, semicircular heads, and tracers, your "Job" will be 63 finished ; and after a lapse of from 130 to 160 years, some ' ; Big- Wig" of high Church and Tory principles, surveying it through his glass, or the mure fallacious medium of a dis- tempered mind (if it be a " Conventicle"), and assuming it as indisputable, that the Church of Birstal was but the offspring of this her aged mother, will write thus : — "Still it retains much of the form of a Church, having a choir and two side aisles, supported upon wooden pasturns instead of columns, but marking the hands into which it has fallen by Sectarian inelegance and frugality." Whenever a man writes or speaks upon a subject of which he is ignorant, but would needs have others to think him knowing, he generally adopts some artifice for that end. He either clothes it in mystery, or by loose and general expressions (reminding one of the oracular responses, as being adapted to inter- pretation of any kind), he shrouds himself in the ambiguity of double meanings. Like a phantom he assumes a form, but having no substance it is impossible to grasp him. It is impossible indeed to determine from the passage in question whether Dr. Whitaker regarded our Chapel as built by Churchmen or Dissenters. From the latter being so severely censured on account of their "inelegant" wooden pasturns, which evidently are coeval with the building, it may be contended that he considered them the architects ; and, indeed, if this be not the proper construction, the Doctor's sarcasm lias neither sense or meaning in it. In spite of this inference, however, 1 am clearly of opinion that this was not his idea. My interpretation of it is as follows: — • ; Although the Church of Morley has, since Domesday Survey, undergone many changes, and much degradation, by being firsl reduced to a Cliapelrv by Robert de Lacy, and that Chapelry converted into a Conventicle by the Karl of Sussex; and although the Presby- terians have made it a paltry])! ace of worship by their meanness and want of taste, still it retains much of the form of a Church (thai is, some of its original features) having a choir and side aisles" But 1 am far from wishing others to coin- cide in my opinion. The Doctor's remark is a two-edged sword, which cuts his party and not the Dissenters, whichever way it be turned. In fact 1 would rather that these ugly brats, the "wooden pasterns," should be fathered upon them than not. a-< in that case not a stone can have been laid here by any other people ; and, of course, Lord Savile could have leased to them nothing more than his own land and their structure. Whichever • way, therefore, we consider the subject. Dr. W hitaker's remark is (to use the mildest term) ludicrous. "Wooden pasturns" in- deed ! ! Whoever before heard of a people being sneered at because the roof of a barn happened to be prop|>ed with pillars and braces? What Tyro in the study of our ancient architecture does not know that the roofs of such buildings were generally so sup- ported during the seventeenth, and perhaps sixteenth centuries ? Who has not repeatedly seen them in barns all the country over? And who would have thought of Sectarians being denounced as " inelegant" because they hap- pened to case, paint, grain, and varnish these vulgar pasturns ? I cannot here resist the temptation of noticing the singular consistency of this learned gentleman, when writing upon the subject of the " great rebellion? — as men of his cloth call the Civil War of the seventeenth century, and censuring the Sectarians who were such sad i% Rebels" in that age. u In the Civil War of the King and Parliament," says he (p. 7r»). •• the inclinations of the cloathing districts, in general, greatly pre- ponderated in favour of the latter. Their * inelegance, : — their stubborn independence, and the influence of the puritanical Clergy, who swarmed among them, all contributed ii> the same end." That the manufacturers, and indeed the common people generally, of Yorkshire were highly incensed at Charles 1st and his govern- ment is certain ; and it would have been wonderful indeed had they not been so. when their laws, their property, nay. even their religion was invaded by that haughty and perfidious* monarch. It is admitted also that our poor countrymen were extremely ineleganl and had a high spirit of independence; but how a. man's inelegance and independence should put him out of love with a govern- ment, if really good; or in love with one. if really bad. i- not evident t<> an i>rdinar\ capacity; and it might, therefore, have been a- well to have referred their displeasure to a in that curiotu collection " The King - < abinel opened, there is a letter of Charles wMch inarks the ohairacter of the man beyond question, and discovers Uii rancour, not only to Lord Sussex, but to other nobles who bad espoused bis oause. In lieu of this piece "t imbecility I will present in tin Appendix a irtt Johan Watson Webster, like the name of Walker, ami an tnflnitj > York Castle — tried, convicted on the clearest evidence, and sentenced to death; but, by one of those strange, mysterious casualties, which are seriously UJUlioUS !<» the puUic, this penalty was commuted to that of trans- portation beyond seas; >" that, by waj of example and reparation i" society here, they have I km ii sent to plague, and. peradventure, to corrupt and injure people i M a distant colony. at the COSl of an n\erhurt heiied nation, and without affording to their Peers No one, i presume, can Imagine thai i mean anything more than to xty, that tin- transportation "i oapital male factors, Incorrigible, abandoned, reprobate . can only i„- attended with .-hum- such oonseqneni i ind, mn U aU are of this class, who can bring no evidence to charai iu'i are old In villainy, bowi rex roun flny 68 thai salutary lessoD which reason and justice demanded. Whilst writing upon this Bubject, 1 must be allowed to mention another case of still • more heinous guilt in this neighbourhood, which, but two years before, was attended with the same results. Ab»»ut four o'clock in the morning of February the 7th. L822, the family of Thomas HeUewell, a small publican, living- at Brunt- cliffe, we alarmed by a cry of fire, and soon perceived their stack-garth, and one or two of their slacks to be in flames. The fire, in fact, had nearly consumed a stack of clover, had communicated to one of corn, and had reached the very threshold of a barn and mistal of theirs, in which about thirteen head of cattle were confined. The whole would, certainly, have been burned to ashes, and an industrious, poor family utterly ruined, had not a watchful, superintending- Providence interposed, and their neighbours assisted at a critical moment. When I relate but a few of the circumstance's which led to the detection of the incendiary, the reader, I am persuaded, will exclaim with me — " Surely the finger* of Providence was there." ]| was so ordered, upon this occasion, that a slight snow had just fallen on the ground, but quite sufficient for tracing the footsteps of a man who appears to have worn remark- able shoes. One of them had been evidently spetched with a clumsy strip of leather on the sole, and both of them left the impression of their clog nails so perfect, that not only the number, but shape of them was manifest. The fellow had, clearly, come up a field on the North East side — had tried to enter the mistal, and had come into the fold by getting over the fence wall — no other footsteps on the premises appeared. f lad this calamity befallen ninety-nine men out of every hundred, it is probable that, in i he bustle and confusion which ensued, the traces of the miscreant had been lost; but HeUewell is a man of singular activity, courage, and sagacity, and ho displayed it at this time with no less honour to himself than advantage to the public. Roused up to energies nearly superhuman, ho flew from place \n place i" restrain the wandering of those whom ho Eearecl might obliterate the footmarks of the incendiary, and hunting him backwards to hi- house, in Neepshaw-lane, Napoleon's cxprc:>"ion « ben MOTCau was killed by a cannon and thence to Morley and Beeston, with the fleetness of a bloodhound, he overtook and seized him, with the very shoes upon his feet, before eight o'clock on the same morning-. T<> make my story as short as possible, other evidence soon came out which placed I he guilt of John Vickers beyond a doubt. Revenge, it appears, founded on the most trivial, or rather no real. • provocation, had instigated him to the perpetration of one of the- blackest in the catalogue of crimes. He had long- been regarded as a fellow of the vilest and most dangerous description; and his conduct both upon his trial, (which I witnessed) and even after his sentence, was quite compatible to the common opinion. He made no defence — he called no evidence to character — he fleered at the solemnities of the Court, and the dignity of the Judge ; — like Guy Faux, in the reign of James, "lie shewed no concern about anything' but the failure of his project" — no person, or cir- cumstance, that I know of, recommended him to mercy, and every spectator, I believe, considered him lost. Will it then be credited, that this wretch was, at an expense of, perhaps, sixty or seventy pounds, merely sent over seas to the beautiful climate and country of New South Wales, and that the rumour has been, that he is now thriving- there as a malster ? Well may people say, " They order these things better in France," — to say nothing- of a half-civilized country, such as Russia. But why. may we ask, should a sickly sensibility be ever allowed to stand in the path of strict justice, and the public- safety? Why should a person suffer for what may be done without opportunity of reflection, and in a tumult of passion, or from something' like necessity — if the cold — the deliberate, midnight incendiary t is to be spared? And why should men — in other respects — save one solitary act — the bene- factors and the ornaments of their country — an Aram or a Dodd, be executed, it' such infernals as 1 alluded to are worthy to exist? To change the subject, and resume my account of the principal Trustees of Morley Chapel, 1 would willingly dwell upon the first name on the last deed, if propriety allowed it. Ihii it would far better become any other Mr. Eellewell's offence w.vs merely pointing out this fellow's dwelling to an officer who made inquiry of him, having a distress for rent, or an execution upon his goods. f There cannot he a doubt, I think, that the able and upright judge who respited this criminal, was somehow or other grossly deceived or Imposed upon. *3 person to speak of him than myself, and 1 only get the better of my reluctance to do so from an impression, that to pass him by in silence is scarcely consistent with my duty, either as an historian or a relative — besides which, there are, probably, some few who regard his memory, and may desire to know what little I shall add respecting him. Waiving then all false shame, or affected modesty, — in 1778. he married Prances, third daughter of the Rev. John Fountaine, Rector of North Tidmouth, in Wiltshire, (an inti- mate friend of the celebrated Handel.) who. in the fine ancient Manor-house, at Mary- le-bone, first the property of (lie Crown, and, afterward-, of the Duke of Portland, kept one of the largest and most genteel seminaries in London. He was educated in the law. under Warren. an eminent special pleader. For about thirty years he practised as a Banister, and, in \c\-y unpleasant times, served the pul >lie as a Magistrate, without any profit to himself, or inordinate benefit to his clerk. What he was to this district — to his relations — but especially to his poor neighbours, it becomes not me to say ; yet, one thing, for the sake of those to whom chiefly I address myself, 1 will testify, which is, that from my youth, upwards, I cannot recollect him guilty "fan immoral action, or even an improper expression. Of immorality, in lad, under every form, ho was a severe Censor, but he never forgave the man who offended his delicacy. .Mr. Grisburn, the next upon the list, was. for many years, the only surgeon and apothe- cary in the neighbourhood. Ho was a facetious man, and skilful in his profession; whatever were his failings they hurt nobody but himself, and his loss was generally lamented. The only other Trustee whom 1 shall mention is, Mr. Samuel Wetherill, who died, May 20th, 1826, aged about eighty years. To this gentlemen I was indebted for the Topcliffe Register, for some information in this volume, and for a zeal to afford me literary assistance, in which he was only equalled by another friend. lie it was who presented me with a copy of Mr. Wales's sermons— the very copy which had belonged to Lady Wharton. Iloii was who accom- panied me in my rambles to the Tingley Burial-ground, and who, more than all other person, has given me information as i<» the Societies of Topcliffe and Woodchurch. Lie was remarkably conversant in the ecclesiasti- cal history of the seventeenth century, and, having both a taste for antiquities, and an excellent memory, his society was always profitable: but that for which .Mr. Wetherill was most distinguished, was the equality and sweetness of his temper, the propriety and consistency of his conduct. Speaking of him from the experience of my whole life, 1 can truly say— " He ne'er gave me cause to complain, " Till that fatal day when he died, " thai I never looked on him without pleasure, that he never met me without a smile. Wherever else then they may flourish in our Chapel yard, the nettle and the briar shall never appear beside the grave of my revered comrade, for they have no business to grow there. This subject naturally loads me to our "Chapel Yard.'' whither, I hope, the reader will not fear to follow me. But, before we come to that place, I wish to commemorate one or two things of some interest to my neighbours, though of little to the public. The first relates to the men who officiated as clerks to our old Ministers and Congre- gation. These from the time of <>ld Stainer, the Church clerk, down to the commencement of this century, were there in number — namely, John Reyner, next Joseph Hague, who succeeded him. about 1727. and Nathaniel Slack, who was clerk in the limes of Mr. Mor •^ and Mr. la But the person of whom I am mosl solicitous to make mention, is "Id John Chappel, who lived in a house near the vestry chamber. where his mother an old school-mistn - . taught me my alphabet. John was the village carrier to Leeds, a remarkably honest, sober man. but quite an original of his kind. Music to him was every thing: especially if it belonged to Handel, Boyce, Green, or Kent. J le was an old bachelor ; and Seated in his arm chair, with a number of line fat tabby cats, his music books, and violoncello, a king might have em ied him hi- happiness. Ai ;< very early age, John had got so well drilled in the science of " Sol-fa-ing," thai he could catch up his distances, very correctly, when tinging in parts, and attempting a new piece. This is a v. o different character from that given to Bogei ofwhom it i observed by Qodwyn, that, after having sat there for thirt] eight i be had done nothing worthy of commendation, "Nisi forte boo nets factum dinamua ld was the rich prize taken from the Spaniar la by Cromwell's immortal Admiral Blake, equally distinguished for patriotism and virtue, as for bravery .'1114 talent t Hero we have an exact picture "f a "loyal life an 1 fortune" centleman Could we know the contents of Richard Cromwell-, "Old BOX,' or ,,| -"Hie Stuart Papers," there would he abundant edification for us upon such subjects. Since writing the above i lee i; Mitel in the Newspapers that these documents, the Stuart Papers, are Intrusted to Walter Scott to briiiK forth V V9TJ tit person, indeed, judging of him from his life of Napoleon So much for the political character of a man whose " celebrity " must ever rest upon his lineage — his connections with the great, — but. above all, on his poetic and literary qualifications; for illustrating which. 1 turn to the most pleasing part of my sketch, and will give the reader a specimen of both. But. before I do so. 1 must mention one thing by way of preliminary. After the death of his firsl wife; Anne, the daughter and heiress of Edward Banks, Esq., Waller became enamoured with the Lady Dorothy Sidney, who was the " Saccharissa n of his muse, in the sweet twenty-fifth year of his age. She was the daughter of Lord Leicester, and wife, at length, t" the first Earl of Sunderland.* To this lady, among other poems, the following exquisite trifle appears to have been addressed : — " Go, lovely Rose- Tell her that wastes her time and me, That now she knows. When I resemble her to thee, How sweet and fair she seems to be. Tell her that's young, And shuns to have her graces spied, That hadst thou sprang In deserts, where no men abide. Thou must have uncommended died. Small is the worth Of beauty, from the light retir d. Hid her come forth ! Suffer herself to be desir'd. And not blush so to be admir'd. Then die, that she (The common fate of all things rare.) May read in thee— How small a part of time they share That are so wondrous sweet and fair 1" After the marriage of Lady Dorothy. Waller, it seems, addressed a letter of con- gratulation to her sister. Lady Lucy Sidney, which, being the best specimen of his prose, that 1 have seen, shall be here united to that of his poety. •• Madame. •• In this common joy. al Penshuret, I know none to whom complaint- may come less unseasonable than to your Ladyship, the loss of a bedfellow being almost equal t<> thai of a mistress; and. therefore, you ought to pardon, if you consent not to the imprecations nf -the deserted. 't whieh just heaven in. doubt will hear. " May my Lady Dorothy, if yet wo may call her so. suitor as much, and have the like passion for this young Lord, whom -ho hath preferred to the rest of mankind. :i- others have had for her: and may this low. before third l.ord Bneno I I Sunderland. b\ name Henry . Dibdius Uides AlthOT] \ one would Imagine from this expression thai theaddi o\ w.tii'T to the Ladj Dorothy had Men encouraged. 7:' the year goes out. make her baste the first corse of womankind — the pains of becoming a mother. — May her first-born be none of her own sox. nor so like her, 1 >ut he may resemble her Lord as much as herself. — May she. thai hath always affected silence and retiredness, have the house filled with the noise and number of her children, and hereafter, of her grandchildren; and then may she arrive at that great curse so much declined by fair Ladies — old age. — May she live to be very old. yet seem young, be told so by her glass, and have no aches t<» inform her of the truth. -And when she shall appear to he mortal'* may her Lord not mournt lor her. but go hand in hand with her to that place, where, we are told, 'there is neither marrying nor giving- in marriage/ t hat, being there divorced, wo may all have an interest in her again. My revenge being immortal, I wish all this may befal their posterity to the world's end, and afterwards. " To you, Madame, I wish all good things, and thai, this loss may be happily supplied by a more constant bedfellow of the other sex. " Madame, I humbly kiss your hands, and beg pardon for this trouble, from your Lady- ship's most humble servant. " E. WALLER." It is not unlikely that Miss Waller, of Morley, was called " Dorothy," after the Poet's " Saccharissa ;" at all events there is a plaintive tenderness, and a beauty of expres- sion in this letter, which makes it worthy of regard. Near the sepulchre of Miss Waller, is one of a personage who. though of superior rank and form to the Poet's daughter, was by no means her equal in other respects, if the tradition handed down to me be correct. As the slab containing her memorial is a, soft blue stone, and may in a lew years be illegible, in spite of my <-i,si and trouble to preserve it, I must here, reluctantly, fall into the book- making practice of giving the epitaph at length. •'• Within this Tomb lie (he Remains of the Right Honourable Lady Loughborough, Wife of Alexander Lord Loughborough, Lord Chiei Justice of the Common Pleas. She was the Tliis. in ay opinion, is a most delicate and beautiful com- pliment, and t pity 'I.'- ta ti of that man. who is not a- much enraptured witt it, in another way, an Waller was with hia Dorothy. I He apostatized from the c i lorn, and, in about three yean from this time tie fellal the battle of Newbury (in 1648). aged twenty-thn Kei Dibdin. p. 2fl ; and Hume, p - .nl\ Daughter of John Dawson. Esq., and his Win- Elizabeth. Her Ladyship died the 14th of February, 1781, aged 36." But there are tombs in this Burial-ground far more interesting' than this. I mean the t umhs <.f the ejected Ministers. Through my solicitude, and at my expense, they also have been preserved, and will, 1 hope, at least be cared for by my posterity, should succeeding generations have no better taste and senti- ments than our villagers have at present. The first, and my favourite stone, is that over " Robert Pickering, Master* of Arts, of Sidney Sussex College. Cambridge, and Preacher of the Gospel at Morley; who accounted himself the meanest servant in the work of Jesus Christ," and departed this life October 11th, 1680. That the ejected Ministers did, unfeignedly. account themselves as servants, and account- able servants too, is manifest from the history of their lives ; and that such was the real sentiment of Robert Pickering, though a Master + of Arts, and a man of talent, there can be no doubt. Humility is, in fact, one of the first fruits of religion, and this venerable man had long passed through the elements of a Christian education. His principles and his "taste" were different — very different from that of those who talk about the " tasteless period of the Usurpation" and " unshewy yeriod of the Commonwealth" The high sounding titles of " Dominus Deus noster Papa- alter Deus in terra — Rex Regum — Dominus Dominorum ; or of William, by divine permission, Lord Archbishop, Primate of all England, and Metropolitan," with their equipages, attendants, and other good things, are peculiarly enchanting to some people; but Robert Pickering, educated in another school, had long sat at the feet of his beloved master, " whose kingdom is not of this world," and there had received those edifying lessons which qualified him for his office. What wonder then, if he preferred to the foregoing, the artless, modest, and 'i'li is was a very appropriate description as applied to, and used by, the graduated Clergy (in the Middle Ages especially). 9ee Stowe's Annals, p. 4(i!) For in fact, every other order of men (the Lawyers only excepted) were ignorant and barbarous beyond description. The Priests were the chief Legislators, Officers, Architects, Schoolmasters, and Historians. t Learning was but meanly thought of in the reign of Henry 8th, as appears from the following among other authorities : Mr. I 'ace. one of Henry's Secretaries, was told by one of the Nobles about the Court, that " it was enough for Noblemen's suns to wind their horn and carry their hawk fair, and to leave Study and learning to the children of mean men." See Camden's Kerns (last Kdn.) p. 273 captivating address of an unshewy, but great, apostle — " Peter, a servant of Jesus Christ." The tombs of Mr. Pickering and Mr. Baily, have, evidently, been put up about the same period, which I take to be about 1G89, or a little after ; for their very appearance, and the state of the times, antecedently, convince me that they could not have been erected according to their dates. The sepulchre of the next ejected Minister is, for William Hawden. who died, as is there stated, 2Cth of August. 1699, in the eighty- eighth year of his age. The text which his friends have inscribed over him is — ; - The righteous hath hope in his death." I can gather no particulars of this gentleman beyond what Dr. Calamy relates. " Mr. William Hawden," says he, " bom near Leeds. Upon the Five Mile Act, he went to Sherborn, and afterwards removed to Wakefield. He preached both at home and abroad, as opportunity offered, and as long as his sight continued, but for the last eight or nine years of his life it failed him. He was a sound, orthodox Divine, a great enemy to all vice — a zealous promoter of what was good — of great magnanimity and resolution. In 1685, when the Duke of Monmouth was landed, he was sent prisoner to Hull, and thence conveyed to York Castle, where the Commissioners required he should be bound to his good behaviour, which he peremptorily refused, knowing no occasion for it; but the matter was compromised, upon a friend's passing his word for him. He was ejected from the Vicarage of Broads- worth." This gentleman, I believe, officiated as a supply for the Dissenters at Morley. He probably was not elected their Minister on account of his age, as he would be near seventy at Mr. Pickering's decease. Upon the tomb of the last of our ejected .Ministers, is this inscription : — " Here resteth the body of Abraham Dawson, of Morley, who departed this life, the 19th of November, 1671, 'aged 61." -Here also, was interred the body of tin* Rev. Mr. Joseph Dawson, Minister of the gospel at Morley, and son of the above-said, who finished his labours and entered on his rest June 26th, aged 73, 1809." This interesting memorial — so closely connected with our history — was. for twenty years at least, buried about two feet under ground, to make way for the slab of a person of no consequence, and of a different character. It is unnecessary to say, by whom it was replaced and restored. Here let me pause for the sake of those Dissenters who love consistency, and not only know their own sentiments but those of their forefathers : in the seventeenth century espe- cially. On the sepulchres of two of the ejected Ministers, though University scholars, and episcopally ordained, as well as on one who was, at least, their contemporary, it is written thus— "Mr. Samuel Baily"— u Robert Picker- ing, Preacher of the Gospel" — " Mr. William Hawden" — and so forth ; but when we come to 1709 — and the Stone of the next gentle- man, it is " The Rev.* Mr. Joseph Dawson." Now, although I am quite sure Mr. Dawson was (like these other Ministers) as much worthy of the appellation " Reverend" as any person of his times, and much more so than a multitude of people in ours ; yet I must own its introduction here is not, in my judgment, in good " taste." This remark naturally draws me to relate a few particulars which are not known to every one. In the early ages of the Church, to say nothing of the highest orders of the Clergy, but to confine the remark to the generality, we find them little assuming in regard to titles. — They generally bore the Christian name, as " Augustine" — " James the Deacon" — " Laurentius," and so forth. Afterwards, when they were designated by local residence, the same simplicity continued. It was in these times " Robert de Rupibus" — " Henry de Vallibus" — "John de Veteriponte" — ••Thomas de Capella." &c. ; or it was Wil- liam de Terringham, Clerk, or William, of Wyckham. At length these Priests began to be called •• Sir." if not graduated — if otherwise. •• Master ;" and the former appel- lation 1 find common, from Sir Richd. AVich, Vicar of Eermetsworth, in 1440, and burnt for heresy on Tower Hill, to Sir Thomas f Newman. Priest, who " bore the faggot for singing Mass with (/ood ale" in 1537. The title of Doctor. was also assumed about the same times, and was certainly not unap- propriate to the office. But the Clergy, not content with titles sufficient for Knights and Baronets, and the principal Gentry in the n i- m\ belief thai the title the reign of his Catholic Bfajeetjr, can only prove it by inference. before 1668. Set Evelyn'a Men t Stowe's Annals, p. 088. " Reverend" •prang up » n < harlrs the 2nd, though I It was certainly aJopte \ ;i land, must needs rise higher yet, and accord- ingly we read of other appellations such us " Ke\< rend" — " Honourable and Reverend," &c. in after times. Titles, however, of all kinds, - have increased troin i!if rise of the Tndors to the fall of the Stuarts; or, to he more particular, from the time of his Highness the " Defender of the Faith." to the decline of his •• most sacred Majesty" — the most religious] and gracious King-" — Charles the 2nd. During the taste- less period of the Usurpation indeed, and unshewy 'period of the Commomvealth, these concerns were in low repute, and the dif- ference may be well accounted for. when we contrast with the others the men of these times — men whose ambition was altogether of a different kind, and who sought the admiration of their country by deeds rather than by words. Cromwell, especially, who knew mankind, detested clerical pride, and despised the fooleries of the Romish Church as much as any man that ever lived, appears to have applied his stupendous mind to the restoring of Christianity to its primitive sim- plicity and purity ; and in spite of the cant and quaint phraseology which disgraces the age rather than the men, we must needs admire the unostentatious deportment of his Ministers. But, when the u Catholic" Charles was restored — when the Peerage was swelled in a most unprecedented and ludicrous* degree — when, among all sorts of titles and nicknames, the word w * Reverend" was intro- duced ; the apostates of Liberty and the cavaliers appear to have adopted it very nearly together. It was no longer Mr. Richard Baxter, Mr. Edward Bowles, or Mr. Jno. Flavel; but the Rev. Richard Baxter, the Rev. Edwd. Bowles, and the Rev. John Flavel. And if some of the other i; Trim- mers," such as Calamy, Bates, and Owen, did not assume it. their title of Doctor alone prevented. From this time the appellation has been so far extended, that it is now often applied to tradesmen, farmers, and mechanics. As the love of eminence and shew is a passion ever restless and importunate, so when it is encouraged, new demands will continually arise ; and accordingly, with titles : Those epithets wore first bestowed in this reign with what propriety, may be discovered by turning only to Evelyn's .Memoirs, p. f>4H. &c. I quote Evelyn, as lie was loyal even to the Stuarts. See also, "Ellis's Letters, vol. 8. p. 3'24. 1 So ludicrous indeed was it, that a Lady remarked "one could scarcely spit out of a window without spitting on a Lord" on observation which maj i>c extended to the lUverends of the present da; has grown up a fondness for clerical dress — finery and pomp.f Fine gowns,} organs, and pews, all proclaim our degeneracy and gradual approach to that pageantry which was derived from Pagan Rome, in the early ages of the Church. It will be well, I some- times think, if matters go no further: but when one beholds among one class of Dis- senters a Liturgy — with another, Confessions of Faith — and over a third a conclave of Priests as absolute and arbitrary as is seen at Rome, there is certainly some cause of appre- hension. § To return to our Burial-ground, the stone next to that of Mr. Pickering is over one John Ilalliday. who died in 1677; the next is for Mr. Baily ''Minister of Morley and Topcliffe," who died December 8th, 1675; and the next that of Alice his wife, who on the 22nd of June, 1674, left him a widower. A little further North is a stone for Nehe- miah Wood, of Gildersome, who married Hannah, one of the daughters of Major Greatheed, and died the 26th of October, 1707, his wife following him February 29th, 1752, aged eighty-three years. Passing near the Mausoleum of my family, I find that Henry Greatheed, of Gildersome, a son of the Major, died the 5th of July, 1718, aged 80 ; that Martha his wife, died the 15th of August, 1722 ; that Elizabeth the wife of Matthew Scatcherd, of Morley, died August the 25th, 1715, aged 84 ; that Jane the wife of Thomas Scatcherd their son, died September 4th, 1691, and that Thomas died May 20th. 1700. Near this spot are the graves of the t I take leave to record it here, that under the Presby- terian Ministry the gown and bands never appeared once at the Old Chapel. When Dr. Priestly preached here, he ap- peared in the most unostentatious garb, and from eye- witnesses I know that his demeanour was plain, artless, lowly, and apostolic. t The gown as well as surplice was particularly declaimed against by the Independents of the seventeenth century. See appendix to the Life of Archbishop Sancroft. Jj [t is a curious question what will be the general religion in England, a century or two hence. Some considerations indicate that the two largest bodies of Dissenters will at length merge in the Establishment. One of them (the nearest related to Alma Mater) seems already repentant ; and the tenets of the other so nearly correspond with the Athana- sian Creed and the Articles, and their departure from the usages and principlos of their forefathers is so manifest, that their return is far from improbable. As to the Moravians, they seem to be between Catholic and Protestant, and as little on the increase as the Quakers, who are as little likely to nourish here, as .lews or Mahomedans. On the other hand, there Is a tenet directly opposed to all people, and which, like the little cloud, appears to be spreading on all sides. We now have " Unitarian" Churchmen— Methodists Baptists Quakers, &0., besides the denomination so called. In the New World too, as well as in the Old, this sentiment is prevailing: the result, I hope, will be glorious, and for mankind, happy. 75 Reyner family, but the stones being of recent date, I pass them by — one of John Scurr, of Holbeck, who died May the 10th, 1684. is worth notice. He was related to that Leonard Scurr mentioned by Calamy, and of whose murder and robbery in 1680, Jby Ilolroyd, Littlewood, and others, a particular account may be found in Whitaker's Leeds. In what degree they were related, the present head of the Scurr family, now residing at Liverpool, could not inform me ; but only that the tradition is, respecting our John, that he was killed by a fall from his horse. In this Burial-ground I find a stone for Susannah, wife of John Bainbridge. of k - Rownes" (Roomes) who died the 8th of February, 1687, and which 1 mention just to shew that there were families thereabouts 1 40 years ago. It is manifest indeed from the ancient barns and cottages which we see skirting the borders of Farnley Wood, or at no great distance therefrom, that from Gil- dersome, Roomes, Snittles, Cottingley, and Beeston, there were dwellings long anterior to the Conspiracy. AVe next come to the tombs of the Daw- sons. On one side the Minister lies John Dawson, Esq., the father of Lady Lough- borough, who died December loth. 1769, aged 56. On the other side, lies his father, who died September 2nd, 1741. aged 65; and his Bister, Mis. Lydia Dawson, who died September 2nd. 1761. aged .")7. On the South side of this stone, and inclosed with palisadoes like his daughter's tomb, lie the remains of Mis. Elizabeth Dawson, wife of the first-mentioned John Dawson, who died November 5th, 1788, aged 77 ; and just by it. i-; a stone for Esther Crowther, wife of Joshua Crowther, and mother-in-law of Thomas Dawson. Who this Thomas was 1 am unable to make out, but he seems to have been a Trustee of the Chapel. On the side of Elizabeth's tomb, is a marble slab for ••Ann. relict of John Dawson, gentleman, who died July 2nd. 1767, aged 8 ( J. — Lastly, there is a -tone for " the Rev. Joseph Daw- sou, of Rochdale, in Lancashire, who seems to have lived at Morley, before his removal thither, and to have had two sons — namely. Samuel — who. died here, " July 23rd, 1696, aged 20 years and 1) months; " and Thomas, horn December 13th, 1702. and deceased November 3rd, 1706. This account of the Dawsons is involved in an obscurity which I cannot dispel. It is certain that Abraham was the father of Joseph, our Minister, and my belief is that Joseph, the Minister at Rochdale, was oae of the sons of our Joseph ; who. according to Dr. Calamy, " brought up four sons to the Ministry." Indeed I have been credibly informed that this is the fact. John Dawson, the grandfather of Lady Loughborough, was. more probably, a son of Thomas Dawson, than of our old Minister; but someway or other they were all related, and if 1 may be allowed t<> guess at their common ancestor, judging of them from their principles, I should say they were all descended from * '• Abraham, the father of the faithful." Near these tombs lie the remains of that once learned and truly excellent man, Timothy Aired, of whom it is recorded that he was Pastor of the congregation at Morley, fifty - four years, and died August the 21st. 1772, aged 88. In his latter days he resided with his son George, at an ancient farm-house, near Churwell, at present occupied by Mr. Morris. At some distance N.B. of the last stone is a handsome one, curiously carved, u in memory of Mr. Thomas Craister, who died May 1:5th. 1681, and of his son Thomas, the Trustee in 1687. who died March 6th, 1702. aged 48. There is a stone also for the Rev. Nathaniel Booth, of Gildersome. who died April 3rd. 1755. aged 75. Of this Mr. Booth, an Anabaptist Minister. 1 shall have occasion to -peak hereafter. His grandson, the late Nathaniel Booth, grocer, &c., in Grildersome, it was believed, was the proper heir to the title "Delamere," and peradventure, might have preferred his claims, had aol the ordinary accompanynient been wanting, and his own education not less so. The next stone informs us that •• William Robuck, of Morley (the Trustee in 1687), died September 17th, 1720, aged 6;; ; and that Rachael, his wife, who died June 12th, 1725. aged 67: and Sarah, wife of John Dawson, of Topdiffe, who died February 8th, 176o, aged 7!>." were there interred. Ne;ir the ashes Of the Robuck family arc Hat slabs, for one Thomas Met calf, of Morley , who died in 1717; — another is for Mercy, wife of John bfargerisson, of Drighlington, who died April L2th, 1701. aged 63. Of this family 1 shall write ;i subsequent page. i mean A-bratuun, tin; Parliamentarian, who lent John rd a horse, in 1988, and was father to Joseph, our Minister. 76 The lnsi tomb which 1 shall notice, but not the least sacred in my esteem, is that of the truly Reverend Thomas Morgan, of whom it is recorded thai he died July 2nd, 17'.»'.>. aged 80 years, "after having faithfully discharged the office of Pastor here, from October 23rd, 17C0. to September 28th, 1794, when it pleased God to suffer his powers of speech and active usefulness, to be destroyed by a paralytic stroke." Having' now got through the only un- pleasant part of my task — the irksome drudgery of commemorating the principal interments in the Burial-ground, and having, with studied care, abridged the inscriptions on the oldest and most memorable stones, the reader will, perhaps, have the good nature to indulge me in making a few remarks. It was once my wish to redeem, according to my ability, and the extent of my influence, a national disgrace, by making this Chapel- yard fit for the eye of a stranger, and not unpleasant to our villagers — and, for this purpose, I have expended money in planting trees, and fixing palisadoes at the Northern and Western skirts. The small extent of our Burial-ground forbids the thought of further improvement, and a still greater obstacle is, the circumstance of Morley being a manufac- turing village. Were it otherwise, something beyond a mere approach to decency might be attempted. It is impossible to hear or read of the Burial-grounds in France, especially that of Pere la Chaise, near Paris, without feeling that we are, as a nation, some centuries behindhand with our neighbours, in exhibiting a tasteful and proper respect for the memory of departed friends. There the weeping willow or the laurel, the laburnum or the bay, com- mixed with vernal and perennial flowers, not only decorate the graves f of the deceased, and denote, partially, their quality, sex, and character, but are beautifully emblematic of a "perpetual spring," and an unfading immor- tality. Compared with spots like these how cold, and desolate, and horrid, is the aspect of our Church-yards in England! presenting little to the view beyond the lumber and dis- order of a stone quarry. Without verdure to relieve the eye — without beauty to captivate the fancy — and, often, without a sentiment to affect the heart. t In Glamorganshire to this day the Knives are annually dressed by surviving relatives with llowers. Gentleman's Magazine, vol, 07, part 2, p. 21)2. Judge, then, reader, of the regret with which I view a place, consecrated by many recollections, yet for which no regard, even as it respecis decency. i< preserved. Often have 1 suggested the propriety of stopping up of footpaths — of preventing the demolition of graves by cows and horses, and of the walls and tombs by animals more brutish still than these. — Often have I not only remon- strated, but have caused to be removed, the nuisances whereby the walls and tombs are blackened and defiled, but all in vain ! Every thought of the departed being absorbed in a regard for trade— in a mercenary calculation of " profit and loss." I have in this, as in more useful endeavours, been unsupported. Henceforth, therefore, I shall remain passive — for a w r hat can an individual do against a camp ?" On the South side of Morley Chapel, and nearly in the centre of the Burial-ground, is the base of a column, with part of the shaft in its socket, of what our oldest people have, from my boyish days, assured me was for- merly a sun-dial. In spite, however, of this their united assurance, as none of them pre- tended to have seen this dial, or anything more than a part of the shaft, I am compelled to believe that an ancient Church-yard Cross once appeared upon this base. My reasons are as follows : — It seems very doubtful whether any person in Mr. Al red's time (and he came here in 1709) ever saw this Dial. So that the account of there having been one is quite traditionary. Supposing, however, that there ivas a Dial belonging to the Chapel, this must have been erected nearly a century and a half ago. Now a real antiquary only allows tradi- tionary rumour to incline his belief where better evidence is wanting'. — Where the sub- ject engages his fancy, he will " pink " at it and pry into it with the curiosity, ardour, and perseverance which characterized the vener- able Hutton, of Birmingham. Dials are said to have been constructed iu 558, and the first* to have been erected in Rome three hundred and eight years before Christ. Unless a captious and foolish objec- tion be admitted in respect of huge pillars, which were an horologium of the ancients, * Luckombe's Tablet of Memorv, p. 140. Mr. Barrington mentions A. U. 471. And Mr. Gough tells us " Scipio Nasics contrived and placed the first Hour Glass, A. IT. 595, whereby the hours both of day and night were equally divided."— Arcluuologia, vol. 5, p. 417. See also p. 425. 77 vertical dials, and these only, appear to have been in use down to, comparatively, modern times — such, at least according- to the extent of my reading* and observation, appears the fact ; for, from the curious Saxon Dial at Kirkdale. in Rydale, down to those ordinary vertical Dials on our neighbouring' Churches, 1 have not met with one instance of a very ancient horizontal one in our Church-yards. Nay. in all that voluminous and valuable work — the Gentleman's Magazine — I can find nothing but vertical dials upon our Churches. f 1 am not therefore, to be told that if a Dial were put up here in the seventeenth century it would be an horizontal one, when all our Church-yards declare the contrary. Such is the evidence ag*ainst the tradi- tionary account of a Dial. Now then for the evidence in favour of a Cross — preparatory to which, however, I beg to be indulged with a few preliminaries. After the introduction of Christianity in our Island, although Churches were not immedi- ately erected on the site of memorable events, Crosses were, as Dr. Whitaker observes, 4i of this," says he, "we have a memorable instance in the case of King Oswald, and where there were Crosses, we have authority for saying, the Clergy and people assembled for purposes of devotion, and even celebration of the Holy Communion." There seems to be no doubt that the Christian Clergy preached at these 1 Crosses before Churches were erected, and aftei*wards, upon the consecration of a Church, ii seems to have been a custom to erect a Cross in the centre of the Church-yard, or to plant a Yew Tree, or, })erhaps. to do both. Indeed, it was by seeing an ancient Yew Tree in the Burial- ground of Old White Chapel, that Archbishop Sharp knew it to be consecrated ground, and refused, of course, to consecrate it afresh.} These Crosses in Church-yards, in after- limes were so multiplied, that we often find them, or traces of them, in various parts of the Burial-grounds. § — Yes! even on the North and North East sides of our Churches || — (a curious fact, and one which I mn-l beg- tlic leader to bear in memory) — generally, \ Nichols's Leicestershire Saltby ami Co'lchy Churches. ArehKologia, vol. l, page lio. J Whitakcr's Leeds, vol. 'J, p. 240. | Craven, p. '204. Stowe's Annals, p. 83, &c. Lyaon'l Cornwall, in M. J'». vol. .">, p. 221, fltO. AloIUSoL vol. 14, p. 62. Ocntlenian's Magazine, 179;), p. 837. The reader will see how this fact snpports an opinion of my own in a following page, and disproves an hypothesis in the Archwologia, however, we find them at the West or South sides. These later Crosses, no doubt, from their very position, were "principally designed to inspire reverence" — "to put the mind into a proper frame, preparatory to entering the sacred Edifice." According to all that 1 can learn on this amusing subject they were larger, higher, and more highly finished than the more ancient central Cross ; indeed, it is natural to believe that they would be so, when we consider the different times and different motives which gave them birth. Although every class of Crosses is of high antiquity, I am inclined to think, that among those which pertain to our ecclesiastical structures, the Cross in the centre of the Church-yard is most ancient. They seem to have been far more rude, plain, and low, than those beautiful Crosses which sprang- up in times when architecture had attained its meridian, and sculpture was advanced. We have seldom given us the height of these Crosses, but from what I have gathered, they seem to have varied from eight to ten • or twelve feet above the surface. Unquestion- ably we should have known much more about them but for those infamous orders which issued soon after the " Reformation," com- manding that all images of the Trinity, in glass windows and other places of the Church, should be put out and extinguished, together with, the "'Stone Crosse in the Charche- yarde" — enough, however, remains to satisfy me thai at Morley there was once a Cross, though, probably, of the plainest kind. ' The base of this structure is nearly four feet square — the shaft has been about nine inches in diameter, and the stone remaining is of a kind widely different from any in the neighbourhood, or, as 1 imagine, any place nearer than Bramley. It is a kind of sand- stone grit, similar to that of the coffin lately found at MiddletOD (of which hereafter); this is another circumstance which argues against the supposition of a Dial, and in favour of a Cross. These, and other beautiful Church-yard dosses, of which, alas! there are but few remaining, were principally demolished, as all • see i.yson's M. 1!. vol. ;», p. 221. Borlaoe'a Cornwall, pi. ... ac. LrcIuBoL v. ii. p. 199. Gentleman'a tlafaiUM for 1806, p. 120L l"> 1816, p. 891 l><>. 1816, p. .>77. soniftinus wr Bud the central Croaaai i anoint nwlwL sec Gentleman'i Magaslne, IT'JO. p. 682. i>u. 1816, p. 'J. Do. for 1615. p. 129. 78 antiquaries know, during the Tudor* reigns. \<>t many were destroyed, as I believe, daring the Civil War. and by those who were the most opposed to Papal superstitions ; I mean by the Republican party, whose modera- tion and forbearance in this, as in other respects, deserves more commendation than it has met with. Yet, not only under the Stuarts and the Tudors. have all kinds of Crosses disappeared, but even recent times afford instances of what ignorance and brutality, as well as fanaticism, can accomplish in this respect. " The tall and shapely Cross," says Dr. Whitaker, " which stood in the Church-yard, at Burnley, with a crucifix in relief upon it. was destroyed by a drunken rabble, hired for the purpose a few years ago."f What further havoc has been made, many antiquarian works testify ; indeed no longer since than last autumn, on a short excursion to the Lakes, I myself observed a new shaft and Dial erected on the base of one ancient Cross, and a lamp-iron upon another 4 As innumerable instances might be adduced to shew that Crosses as well as Fonts and other ecclesiastical appurtenances have been put to uses very different to their original one; so, it is possible that when horizontal Dials became common, the Head of the Cross might give way to the Gnomon and Dial plate ;§ but if so, the substitution must have been made for the purpose of regulating our Chapel clock. But here again I find a cir- cumstance of some, though not great Aveight in the argument against a Dial ; for the clock is undoubtedly very old — a century and a half at least — on which account there was the less necessity for any other chronometer, especially in a village so near to Leeds; besides, I again question whether the hori- zontal Dial would be then constructed. There is one thing observable in our Chapel- yard, in common with most other places of sepulture which has engaged my attention, and excited my curiosity, from my very child- hood ; but neither from any book, or from any person) have 1 been able to acquire such ' Sec Wharton's Life of Pope, 353, or Gentleman's Maga- zine, for 17!»!», p. 887, note. Nicholls's Leicestershire, vol. J. part 2, p. 674, fee. Sec, especially, Nicholls's Leicestershire, vol. 1, p. 574. t Whitakcr's Whallev, v. 2, p. 302. Gentleman's Magazine, 171)9. p. 833. Stowe, L187. t At IJowness, Ambleside, and Orassmcre. Anno. 1828. S An instance of a vertical Dial upon an ancient Cross, and which was put thereon so recently as 1712, may be found in the Geutleinau's Magazine for 170^, page 124. information as would give me satisfaction respecting it; — I mean the non-interment, or unfrequent interment, on the North sides of our sacred structures. The only suggestion upon this subject, which has ever reached me, and is worth notice. || may be found in the fourteenth volume of the Archseologia, page 52 ; but, in my opinion, it only accounts in part for a superstition, or a prejudice, which seems wrapt in impenetrable mystery; — however, I will give his solution in the very words of the writer : — u The potrions of Church-yards," says this Gentleman, " lying towards the South, East, and West, are by the inhabitants of these neighbourhoods, and by those, I believe, of other places, held in superior veneration, being still emphatically and exclusively called 4 the sanctuary.'^ Opinions are, perhaps, never generally established without some basis. — Whencesoever this prejudice arose it is now become traditionary among the lower ranks of people, and it is indeed so strong, that if, in my contiguous parish of Winterton, I were, on any occasion, to urge a parishioner to inter a deceased relative on the North side of the Church, he would answer me with some expression of surpsise, if not of offence — ' No, Sir, it is not in the sanctuary.'' Hence happens it that there are scarcely any graves visible in that portion of most of our Church- yards, except in towns, or in some very populous villages, where necessity may have overcome choice, or the sanctuary, for obvious reasons, has been extended quite round the Church ;** or where, from peculiarity of situ- ation, the principal approach and entrance into it have alw T ays been on that side." Now, before I endeavour to elucidate the subject, I have a few remarks to make upon this statement, and in the face of it, and although I am well aware that it is expressly declared " Ecclesiarum Sanctuaria qua? popu- lariter Csemeteria Nominautur ;" yet, I am clearly of opinion, the North sides of these Church-yards were sanctuary ground, whether they were buried in or not. When our Burial-grounds were formed in || Except one which appears in the Oentleman's Magazine, vol. 81, part 2, page 213. •| In vol. 9th, 14th, or 17th of the Archseologia, or else in Stowe, an authority is given for the assertion that Ina, King of Wessex, about OiX), enacted that Churches be made Assyla in this our Island . but the privilege of sanctuary was granted by Scbert, King of the East Saxons. Archajologia, vol. 1, p. 43. ' ' Here is seen an evident struggle to get over a difficulty. early times, their boundaries were fixed — the rite of consecration took place. A Cross, or a Yew Tree, as before-mentioned, was planted in» the centre, and then, or in after times, a Church was built upon the spot.ff But the whole of the ground was consecrated, and, oeing so, it was sanctuary. Nor could it make any difference if the consecration took place after the building- of the Church — the whole of the inclosure, Church and all, would be considered, as it is now-a-days, consecrated, and, being conseci ated, it became as a neces- sary consequence, sanctuary, the right to which, as Dr. Pegge states, was confined to ;k such Churches as were consecrated." But to shew, more clearly, that the idea is erroneous of the ground on the North sides of Churches being not sanctuary — or in other words, unconsecrated ground, I shall adduce the following proofs : — First, " The house, and even the court-yard of the Priest were places of sanctuary,:): J provided, that they stood upon the demesnes of the Church." And, secondly, it is laid down, that " within the walls of the Church -yard the fugitive was protected, because it was consecrated ground." Now, will it be believed, that the North side of the Church-yard was not sanctuary, when even the house and court-yard of the Priest, being part demesnes, were sanctuary ? Another clear and convincing circumstance is this — a Cross, or the remains of one, is not unfrequently found on the North sides of our Churches — (as I mentioned in a preceding page) — they were sometimes called " pardon Crosses," and an ancient MS. informs us with reference to this class — " Qiver soever a Cross standith. titer is forgiveness of payne."* If then, the sanctuary-man, flying from the grasp of justice, had reached a monument so situated, the reader will, perhaps, believe with me, that a Priest upon the spot might, with perfect consistency, have addressed the pur- suer in some such language as this — " Take thy shoe from off thy foot, for behold ! the placi on which thou standest, is holy ground" Having now. as briefly as possible, shewn that the popular notion upon this subject is founded in error, in some counties ; 1 proceed to remark, that it does not account for the prejudices, or rather the dislike, still remain- ing amongst Dissenters. tt See Stowe's AnnaLs. p. 74, 84, 166, 189. I allude to the times, of course, when they were annexed to our Churches. Xt These were the laws of Kdward, the Confessor. See Rapin, p. 307. Archied. toI. 2, p. 282: Stowe, p. 704, 799. ' See Archadogia, rol. 13. p. 816 ; vol »',, p. 144. Whatever foolish and superstitious notions the first Separatists from Rome — (the self- styled Reformers) — might retain as to conse- crated ground, or other things, the early Puritans, and, more especially, their successors utterly discarded them. So little had they f to do indeed with sanctuary, and so little cared they about sanctuary ground, that, had there been no other reason for their not bury- ing on the North side of our Chapel, than the one before-mentioned, I am persuaded we should have found the greatest number of graves on this very side. Let us try then, whether a more consistent hypothesis than the one adverted to. may not be substituted. One. which shall account for the common feeling and usage amongst Catholics, Protestants, and Protestant Dis- senters. This, however, will require a short history, as amusing, I trust, as it is curious, and which will shew every one, but the true antiquary, what absurd notions are generally prevailing, as to the manners, habits, and feelings of our ancestors, in remote ages. At the first erection of Churches, no places, either in or about them, were allotted for the interment of the dead, but were appointed for that purpose, apart.J In the seventh century, it began to be a custom to bury in Churches. In cities, however, we are told by Stowe,§ " the Englishmen buried not until the time of Cuthbert, Archbishop of Canterbury, who procured of the Pope, that in them, should be appointed Church-yards ; for lEonorious, when he divided his province into parishes, appointed not to them, Church- yards for burial." Hut, for many years after this time, burial was only allowed in the atrium and porticos, or enhance into Churches — from them, it came into the body of the Church — next into the chancel, and lastly, under the altar. When it took place in the Church-yard, it was, 1 apprehend, chiefly on the South and East sides, and not at all on the North, for reasons which will be seen presently. Now. so far were people, generally, from entertaining those line sentiments and feelings about Consecrated-ground — " Sanc- tuary-ground." or Burial-ground, which is commonly inculcated and believed, that as far as I can Bee, they profaned and polluted it in t By st. l, lac. was abolished ( 25, B. :'.4. the ancient usage- of sanctuary J Archu'ol. vol. 14, p. 51 ; voL 13, p. 299. | Stowe's Annals, p. . ■' For these offences, Braybook, Bishop of London, threatens the offenders with pain of the greater excommuni- cation, bar hell riiiKin;,' candle lighting, and elevution of the Cross, See Ellis's Letters. Till very lately, lives were played in the liurial ground of East Harptree, Somersetshire. See also, Larson's M. B. vol :., p. 86, and note. tt See Dugdale's History of st. Paul's Cathedral, p. about 100, where lie gives an extract from a rare Tract, entitled, " Westminster's Speech to London, 4 to. 1697." Stiype's Annals Of thS Reformation, vol 1 p 861. Edward the lst's reign, in consequence of the robberies, homicides, and fornications there committed, St. Paul's Church-yard was " walled round with fitting gates and poe- tnrns;" and, as to other Church-yards, I find them used for the commonest and vilest purposes before, and long after the Reforma- tion. — Here people met on more occasions than can now be mentioned. — Here fairs were held* on the day of the dedication of the Church. — Here people feasted, and sported, and revelled after service. In these "Burial- grounds" stages were erected, " Miracle Plays" were acted, the ornaments of the Church were borrowed to decorate the theatre — the women thronged from all quarters, and the day was concluded by wrestling, tilting, and dances. — Here, lastly, malefactors were punished, f and not unfrequently executed; J and here too, lotteries were drawn, and that not on the North only, but on the South side of the Church. Having picked up with some industry, and not, as the antiquary will believe, without much reading, these and such other "curiosi- ties " (as the present volume will discover,) I feel myself competent, with such data, to give an opinion upon a difficult question like the one proposed, but shall be very grateful to be set right if I am in error. My conjecture then is, that our rude ancestors, in the Plantagenet and Tudor reigns, did not abstain from interring the dead on the North sides of our Churches from any thoughts about consecrated ground, but because this ground was wanted, and was used, for very different purposes — for fairs§ or wakes, till they were removed hence by virtue of the Statute of Winchester, 13th Edward 1st ; and for sports, plays, feasting and other things, probably to the end of the sixteenth century. Such being the case, when these were discontinued in the rigid days of the Puritans — population being comparatively small — Burial-grounds being comparatively extensive, and land of little value — families " Fosbroke, vol. 1, p. 389. Archseol. vol. 13, p. 238. t Stowe, 1)71, 1130, 1271, 1049. Lyson's Bedfordshire, p. 76. t Stowe, 1203. Lyson's, vol. 1, p. 248. § On very respectable authority I can state that down to the present times, a large fair has been held on the North side of St. James' church, Bristol, and actually in the Church-yard. See also, Bibl. Topog. 9, p. 1380. Since this part of my book was written, I have met with the following extract, said to be found in Coates's Heading, p. 214 :— " Ueceypt Item Rec. at the fayer for a stondyng in the Church I'orch, iiijd."— -Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 97, part 2. p 298 si too, having all their kindred interred on the other sides of the Church, and no room being wanted for, perhaps, a century ; what wonder if erroneous and superstitious notions grew up ? What wonder if a people — visionary, fanciful, and credulous, and unable to account for existing appearances, should, on that very- account, be averse to burial on the North side ? I shall conclude the subject with a few corroborating facts, leaving it to the reader to multiply them by such as may occur to his recollection. The inhabitants of Walton, near Wakefield, commonly inter their dead at the neighbour- ing Church of Sandal. The road which, for this purpose, has been travelled from time immemorial, and which is most direct to that Church, lies over a field of Sir William Pilkington's, at present farmed by a Mr. Scholefield ; but the best road is the highway, round a corner of this field, and but a few yards about. Will it be believed these good people will not (perhaps cannot) be induced to cany the dead along- this road, but insist on going through grass, or peradventure, a corn crop, merely because the way through the field is the " corpse gate " — the safer road, peradventure, to heaven ! ! ! I mention this as a curious relic of ancient superstitions, which has survived the eighteenth century. Fifty years ago there was not one grave on the North side of Lightcliffe Chapel, near Halifax, and the first person buried there was a woman who destroyed herself. The same thing may be said, with truth, as to Morley and many other places|| — the ground was never opened but for such persons ; in fact, on the West side there were but few inter- ments here, until of late years. The fields on the North East side of our Burial-ground are called the " Chapel flats," like those of St. Lawrence, in the Manor of Twiston, mentioned by Dr. Whitaker.lf Some coins of Charles the 1st (in my possession) have been found in their banks; and I have little doubl that here, and on the North Bide of the Chapel, the vdllage wake, sports, and pastimes were enjoyed down to the times of the Commonwealth, or of James the 1st. Before I conclude my account of the Old Chapel, I am desirous, for the honour of my subject, just to mention, that in 1815, or || See Nichols's Leicestershire, vol. 3, part 2, | "... D I. •I History of Whall«y. vol. 2, p. 295. thereabouts, we were favoured by a visit from the late Mr. Hey, of Leeds — the most celebrated surgeon and anatomist, in this part of the kingdom at least; who, in that true spirit of Christian charity which marked his course, especially in the decline of life, pre- sided at a Bible Society Meeting, at the Chapel, and addressed a crowded auditory. The sight of a venerable gentleman, of his professional eminence, and in whom there was such a rare and splendid union of all those virtues and attainments which ennoble the man — are a blessing to society, and reflect lustre upon the country** — advocating the cause of religion, and expatiating on the duty of brotherly love (which was his theme) has left an indelible impression upon my mind. — His voice, indeed, was feeble, and there was little of animation in his delivery ; but the defects were amply compensated by the warmth, the solidity, and elegance of his remarks — by the modesty, the mildness, and unaffected form of his address. The loss of such a man to society cannot fail to be regarded by every reflecting mind as a real calamity, in more respects than one. Morley contains within its township two thousand three hundred acres of freehold land. of which about one thousand six hundred belong to the Earl of Dartmouth, the Lord of the Manor. It is happy for the population, generally, that they do so belong. I shall only add that for his munificence to our poor, in 1819 especially, it behoves us all to be peculiarly grateful. For the sake of my readers of the more inquisitive, if not intelligent class, I think proper, in this place, to enter into a disserta- tion of a rather extraordinary kind. Should any one be disposed to censure it. as fanciful, let him remember that what pleases our own fancies we naturally imagine may please others. The reader will recollct the extract from Domesday, in a former page. H In Morley, Dunstan heli sis carrucates of land, subject to teases ; and other six carrucates may be there, which llbert has, but they are waste. '/'Jure is a Church a Native Wood, one mile long and one broad— in the time of Edward the his is do unmeaning compliment todep*rted exoi U The Gentlemen i n done thtmaelvu honour In ig a monument to Mr iky How iv* monument! are half so veil deeen In the i.i e of Dr Priestley, written ly himself, then 1 for a moiiUini.u( U) Mr. Iky when the other has periched, 82 •. valued at forty shillings." Now, iple may be a little curious to discover t he site of this wood, and may thank me for giving them some insight as to this particular. A.8 to being able accurately to define the boundaries of this wood, after a lapse Of seven centuries, it would be preposterous to think of such a thing; but if I do not deceive myself, we have some data for determining its extent on the South and East sides. To Bet Forth this matter as I should wish, 1 must once more present an extract of importance. When quoted heretofore, it was only presented in part. " In the Coucher book of Nostel," says Dr. Whitaker, fo. 344, "is a perambulation of this Parish (/'. e. Batiey). The Village of Courlewell, says this Book, is situated within the limits of the Church of Batele}'. Secondly, the boundary of the Parishes of Leeds and Batiey is described to be a certain River, descending between the Wood of Farnley and the Wood of Gilders, as far as the Hospital of Beston. Item, another River on the South, descending between the Wood of Middleton and the Essart of ' A/ or ley, as far as the afore- said Hospital of Beston, is also the Boundary of the aforesaid Parishes." Here then, we have express mention made of three distinct and separate woods being in this vicinity four centuries ago, besides an Essart; and here, by the mention made of the hospital of Beeston. we are enabled to discover that the river on the South, is not, in fact, the one above Morley, of which EEoilingshed writes, and which is really on the South, but "that which Cometh from k Domingley'" (Dunningley). Now it is very material to be correct in this, as will presently appeal'. An *• Assart*' is a piece of wood land broken up and cultivated. "The word says Jacob in his Law Die- by Spelman, derived from ■ Assartum, tionary, "i exertum, to pull up by the roots, for some- times 'tis written Essert; and Fleta tells us • \— Minim est quod redactum est ad culturam.' " The best dissertation, however, upon this word is in the fifth volume of the Arelr.eologia. p. 21.">. " Newland," says Watson, in his History of Halifax, "is men- tioned by the name of an Assart, 34th Edward 3rd. Ami again," says lie " I have a copy of a Deed whereby William de Osseste (Ossett) grants an Ajssart in Linley, to Henry de Sacrafonte, of Stainland." Pour or five centuries ago, therefore, it seems, there was land in cultivation (arable. meadow, and pasture, probably) where, then- tofore, there had been a wood; and this ground, so cultivated, or, in one word, this " Assartf'was situate 1 between Morley and the rivulet running at the bottom of Middleton Wood, down to the skirts of the hospital of Beeston. Now, then, let us come to Domes- day admeasurement — " There is a Church — a native wood, one mile long and one broad." Let us also remember that the Church (situate where it now is) is described as being in Morley Wood, in another part of Domesday book ; and then let us consider the distance between the Church and the rivulet on the Middleton side (as near a mile as may be). When we have so far advanced, methinks there will be little difficulty in solving a curious problem pretty accurately. At all events my conjecture, founded on the pre- mises, on the aspect of the country, and nature of the climate is, that although the Church, and perhaps village of Morley, were within its wood, yet, that this wood chiefly laid at the North and North East sides of them both. Hollingshed, in his descriptien of the course of the River Aire and its tributary streams, proceeds thus : — ;i Hence." says he, " the Aire g-oeth to Rishforth Hall, and so on to Bungley, where it taketh a ryll from Den- holme Park to Shipeley, and there crossing another from Thorneton, Leventhorpe. and Bradford, it'goeth to Calverley, to Christall, and so to Leedes ; where one water runneth thereinto by North from Mettlewood. "(Mean- wood or Weetwood side, I presume) " and two other by South, in one chanell ; whereof the first hath two amies, of which the one cometh by Pudsey Chapell, the other from Adwalton, their confluence being made above Farneley Hall. The other likewise hath two heades. whereof one is above Morley, and the other cometh from Dominyley. and meeting with the first, not far South of Leeds, they both fall into the Aire." It is not easy to determine which of the two becks, rills, or rivulets, is here spoken of by Hollingshead — whether that which flows through the present village of Morley. having in its line the k - Gore* Wells," — or that which is really " above," or on the South side of the Gore signifies "the lowest part" of a place. "This," says a writer in the Arcreologia, vol 17, p. 148, " is one of those words which occur in every country from the Ganges to the Shannon." 83 village; — the high antiquity and generality of the word --Gore," and this also being the stronger stream, would decide the question were there not stronger evidence on the other side. In the earliest times lands were divided (according to the mode in which they were o-tiniated or measured) into "terra bovata" (oxgang land) and "terra rodata" (rode land). The first of these was ancient inclosure, which having been from time immemorial under the plough, was measured by the quantity which one ox (of which there were eight in a caruca) could plough in one season. The second was land lately reclaimed or thrown into cultivation, and which may be proved to have been synonymous with u Assart."* To apply this to the subject before us, there is, on the South side of this latter rivulet, extending along the road across our Upper Common (newly inclosed) and on the East side thereof, extending towards Topcliffe Moor, a large tract of land called " the Rods" — evidently redes or roods ; which, till very lately, was almost surrounded by ancient waste. There is also, in this tract, stretching from Morley towards Middleton Wood, some land lately called " the Royds." Now, here we have, in my opinion, skirting all along the bottom of Topcliffe Moor, the Southern side of our Ancient Wood. Such are the thoughts which strike my mind very forcibly, and for suggesting which, now that our Upper Common is gone, and Topcliffe Moor inclosing-, the antiquary of future days will respect my name. If, how- ever, any one should question the etymology last-mentioned, it will perhaps strike him that in all probability the rods or rodes were so called from two or more ancient Crosses having anciently stood at the entrance of the village on the South side, which is somewhat countenanced by the fact of ••Stump Cross" being very near the spot. If these Crosses were of the same class as that, they unques- tionably were boundary Crosses, and were Bel up to define the limits of our township, and those of West Anlsley or Woodkirk ; but they were, more probably, of the class which 1 would denominate sanctuary — highway, or procession Crosses. Of Stump Cross 1 shall Write hereafter. " One Essart, called Swainej Kod< ".Martin's Kssart. or Martin Bode. " "One Essart, called Martin Rode." Bee Burton'i Bfon Ebor Article Kirkstall. Again, Biding is nrnonimous with Assart, thus "One Eaaart, culled Todhill Riding." " One Easart, called Tallin Ridings," &c n> cire I cannot conclude the curious subject of our ancient Native Wood, "l leng long*, et 1 late," without shewing to the reader what a district of forests this must formerly have been. The very name of a wood, about half a mile North West of us, partly proves this. It is called •• Dean' 1 Wood, and the smaller c >pses now called -Clubbed Oaks." -Clark Springs," and •• Dailil Wood," which, no doubt, were a part of it when it stretched itself West and East down to the hospital of Beeston, may well convince any one, that on the North side of the Leeds and Klland road, and beyond Morley, there was a continued chain of forests in the "Olden times." Dean is a word which comes from arden or ardean — a word which the Gauls and Britons used for a wood," and accordingly we find one in Gloucestershire, called •• Dean forest," mostly destroyed now, but once so dark, thick, and dangerous, and its inhabitants so barbarous and terrible, that an act of parliament was become necessary, in Henry the Gtlfs reign, to restrain their outrages. And here, by the way, to complete the picture, I would just state that the road from Leeds to Manchester in these times, was as follows: — First, through Beeston t > •• Morley Hole,* and up Necpshaw-lane to the ••Street," or Roman road (extending from about Bradford to Castleford, as hereafter will be mentioned); next, along this road, till it leached Adwalton. It then was left, and the way was over Adwalton-moor, down •• Warren's-lane.'* past "Oakwell," and up to Comersal.t This also, was one of the way>. perhaps the only one. to Halifax. In my progress over these fragments of our local history, I have laboured under one extraordinary disadvantage, in the want of our former registers of births and burials. By some unaccountable accidenl these registers have been lost, and the present one extends only seventy or eighty years. .Much informa- tion also has been lost, owing to the liberties which have been taken with the papers once belonging to the Church of Batley, perhaps still iii private hands: bm whether bo or destroyed, it is difficult to discover. The Wes1 Anlsley or Woodkirk panel's, I am credibly informed, were with the family ti» which I allude, and recovered, 1 believe, by the late Mr. Mason, the I 'urate of Wood- church. ■■ Dean " or " Den, ' uls<> im- u i "Oomeraal 1 Is mentioned, 1 believe, in Domesday Book Birstal is not. It is but the offspring of Oomeraal, although it now gives Its n n i ii- t" I !ir Church, From Gomersal, the old road went to Bcholes or w jrke, or ne u 84 At the commencement of this work I hinted at the extent and consequence of Morley, in Saxon times. — the Church of the Hundred being here situate a considerable army having here wintered, and the place having given its name to the Wapentake. I noticed its decline, In the time of Rufus or Henry the first — its ultimate ruin (probably) under Edward the 2nd, and its new birth under the Commonwealth of England. Would to heaven it were in my power to clothe this skeleton of a history in flesh and give it animation, by a circumstantial account of the old natives during these periods — the last of them especially. What little I have gathered of their patriotism and bravery has been told ; but it is the picture of them in private life — all their customs, habits, visionary fancies, and domestic manners, that I allude to. It is evident to me that, both from what I have seen and gathered respecting our old townsmen, that they were a plain, thrifty, serious, and provident people, who cared so little for the elegances, that they scarcely thought of the comforts and conveniences of life. Their "frugality" however, arose more from parental affection, a commendable pride, and humble fortune, than from a poverty of spirit ; for, until the last spark of right feeling was extinguished by the debasing and de- moralizing efficacy of the "poor laws," no people were more independent, industrious, provident, and civil, than our working classes ; or more contented than their wealthier neigh- bours. Even so late as about the middle of last century, there were many families who pre- ferred starving, to the disgrace of throwing themselves upon the town ; but every sense of shame in this respect is now so completely extinct (although we have "Savings' Banks" and other Institutions for the benefit of the poor exclusively,) that the healthy and the strong — people whose earnings when in work, are from twenty to thirty shillings per week, now boldly demand relief upon the slightest pressure, having long been taught to consider themselves as legitimate mortgagees, and not as burthensome paupers. The diet o!' our villagers, even in my early • lavs, was very different from what it is now. United in groups of three or four together, at Leeds winter fair, they would purchase an ox, and having made partition of it, they salted and hung the pieces for their winter food. The lr lli Ri il " rashers " which these afforded. bread, were a perpetual repast. It was then, not without difficulty that three butchers could gain a livelihood here; at present we have nine or ten, although the population has not proportionally increased. Furmenty also, in the winter time was much eaten, though it is scarcely known, except amongst the principal people. I mention this, that our posterity may know the uses of those old stone troughs which sometimes are seen inverted, broken, or used for the meanest purposes. In these, the wheat was bruised preparatory to being " creed." If I don't mention these things, such appears to be the progress of refinement among our lower orders, that as little, shortly, will be known about the "furmenty trough," as is remembered of the "noggin;" which. with the "caudle cup," of "two handles" and " tea pot spout/' is now as complete a puzzle to our ladies, as the Celt is to our antiquaries. But if the contrast betweet the former and present natives of this village be striking as it respects^ diet, much more so is it as it regards dress. With me it is a matter of doubt whether Lady Anna Villiers, wife of Thomas Lord Viscount Savile, Earl of Sussex, in her noble mansion of Howley Hall, dressed half so fine as many females among' our working classes ; pinked out, as they are, in their lute- strings, lustres, and Norwich crapes — their mantles, pelisses, and spencers — their flounces, epaulettes, and trimmings. Miss Dawson, the wife of the Chancellor of England, did not (here at least) appear half so gay as some of these ladies ; and as to the granddaughter of Major General Greatheed — a personage of whom generations yet unborn may speak, she would certainly be lost amidst the blaze of their splendour. Another great and material change which • " Browies," I find, was a dish served up at the royal table of Henry 7th. See Pennant's London, p. 380— the receipt, unfortunately, is unknown ; but I suspect, as in the case of our " hastias," it varied from the present only in the seasoning. See the note succeeding. t We are told by Mr. Lysons. in his London, and by Mr. Blount, in his Tenures, that the. Manor of Addington was held by the service of making " hastias " in the King's kitchen, on the day of his coronation. They say, " it was called the Mess of Gyron, or if 'Seyme' be added to it, Maupygernon."— Blount and Aubrey call it " Dilligrout," but all these antiquaries, finding fault with each other, want the receipt. "Seyme," they make out to be " Unguentum," i. e. ointment of some kind. It would almost make a dog (in Yorkshire) laugh, to read their sage remarks. For their edification, however, as to the receipt, 1 refer them to the people of Ilolmfirth, for at INlorley two dishes of the kind are now perhaps unknown. When we used them, butter was the substitute for seyme — Hour or oatmeal was the chief ingredient— no herbs or spices, but treacle or sugar was employed ; and the "hastias" was made In a "postenet," very common In Edward let's days. 85 has taken place in this village, respects the amusements of its natives. Formerly our youths delighted in youthful pastimes — in marbles or "taws" — in kites — knor and spell — fcrapball — gells — pennystones — bows and arrows, and other sports which are now nearly forgotten. The men t< >o, engaged in manly ex- ercises—in quoits (the discus of the Romans) — in races — in bowls — cricket matches — or music meetings. They sung their catches, >r Christmas carols — cracked their jokes it friendly intercourse — burnt their " yule clog " — played their little rubbers at whist, and buried all their differences in the festivity of the ki wassail cup." But the scene is changed ! and the principal relish now is, for the alehouse, J by one class of our villagers; and the meeting house, by another. But the most lamentable change is that which is observable in the morals of the people in these parts. The old natives, though "m- elcyant,' 1 were a considerate race of men, whose general, leading maxim was i; to do to others, as they would have others do to them." They seldom gave any unnecessary provocation to their neighbours; and if their children or apprentices did so, it was sure to be visited with their displeasure and correc- tion. With a strictness bordering on severity, they compelled them to keep good hours, and more especially, to keep holy the Sabbath -day. In their times, prostitution was uncommon — debauchery (in females) an indelible disgrace, and private injuries were rarely heard of. It would be well, in a comparative sense, if the contrast I am making terminated here; but those who have had the experience of forty years, or more, know very well that it does not. Our former villagers were not only a decent, but a well-disposed people. They neither envied a neighbour's prosperity, nor rejoiced in his misfortunes. While there was miion of religious sentiment, there was something like a union of interest; and well knowing that the more there was of wealth and conse- quence in the village, the better it was for all of them, they felt more incline I In exalt a neighbour than to injure him. At all events they paid no court to a low popularity. As to the demeanour of our villagers, in the time alluded to, as respecting religion, it; was natural, unaffected, and lowly. Their's was a religion without cant, ostentation, mid grimace. It interfered not with social and ago, thet were but about two habitual and family duties on the one hand, nor with inno- cent recreations and healthy sports on the other. It fostered no pride — it excited no disgust — it encouraged no presumption — it excluded none of the kindliest feelings of humanity. In a word, it had far less to do with those visionary nights and fancies, called ; * experience," and other fanatical vagaries of the head, than with the grateful and generous emotions of the heart. Such were the people of Morley, for the most part, under the tuition of the " Presby- terian " Ministry, and such were their descendants. But when the " wolves in sheep's clothing" came here, "compassing land and sea to make proselytes," — when the apple of discord was thrown, by the artful introduction of the "five* points." — when a shorter road to heaven was proclaimed than our Puritan Pastors ever knew, — when a substitute was found for Christian tempers and moral habits, a gloomy, morose, ascetic, and intolerant fanaticism arose, by which morals were displaced, reason was con- temned, gaiety banished, learning undervalue'!, character laid low, and oven the attributes of Deity impugned. It was at this period, as I consider it. that the common bond of village union became broken. Henceforth, Sects and .Meeting- houses multiplied, each having its little con- fined pale around it ; a neighbourly and social intercourse was superseded by disputatious wrangling, — and morality and patriotism, by polemical controversy. Before the middle of the last century our natives had a remarkable predilection for Ministers of talent and education, and towards such, though of different opinions, they dis- played a liberality truly charming. .Many excellent men of the Anabaptist persuasion, in those days of peace and onion, officiated here. There were three things only to which our Old Pastors and their people were par- ticularly averse — ignorance — (its usual con- comitant) intolerance. and immorality. Hundreds of those itinerant people who are followed now a-days.f might have excited their laughter, but could newr have engaged their attention. It is unfortunate For society, and often For the individual himself, whenever a person These an predestination original -in partlonlarredemp Hon b raoe and tin- peraeverai Lnta t [ allude chiefly to the itinerant Preaol timed. St mistakes his qualifications, and assumes an office of responsibility and difficulty without education, study, and experience, [f a lazy. or a crazy pedlar, for instance, takes up the calling of a Minister of religion — a bailiff, that of a lawyer —or a farrier and cow doctor that of a surgeon and apothecary, these men not only make themselves ridiculous, hut do incredible mischief to society. With our sensible forefathers it was a common maxim — •• Let every cobbler stick to his last." The people I allude to, they might perhaps have employed to mend their clothes, their kettles, or their shoes — to sell their cloth or to weave it ; but bad any one asked permission for them to enter their pulpit, they would have set him down for a lunatic, a fool, or a jester. Little did they imagine that a man who could scarcely read and write, would ever have the assurance to aspire to such an eminence, or that their posterity would be such simpletons as to allow if. As the morals and manners of a people will ever depend, in some measure, upon the description of Ministers who officiate among them ; it is easy to account in part for the present state of our population in the general. The Old Pastors of this village. Mr. Nesse, Mr. Pickering, Mr. Dawson. Mr. Aired, and Mr. Morgan, possessing that which displayed the scholar, the Christian, and the gentlemen, were eminently qualified to excite admiration, to inspire reverence, and to promote piety — to make men wiser in fact, as well as better. Yet, although in them the advantages of a liberal education and good abilities were united, they still felt it incumbent upon them to be prepared for their labours upon the Sabbath-day. Their preaching, as far as can be collected, was not an unpremeditated rhapsody — a mere jingle of scripture phrases, devoid of connection and proper application, — a visionary exposition of internal feelings, called "experiences;" about which, alas! we are so little instructed by the experience of the wisest and best of men. Much less did they degrade their ministry, by a contemptible "tittle tattle*' aboui ordinary or fanciful occurrences, which might even disgust an old woman, in a parish workhouse. No! What- ever difference there might be in the tenets of these admirable men on immaterial points, there wa> no controversy on the importance of social duties — the value of learning- the advantages of application — the absolute necessity of a good life, and the proper qualifications of a Christian Pastor. It was not, however, in 1763, but many years before it. that the village was first visited by an illiterate and itinerant Ministry. The Methodists, who sprang up about 172'.». and became considerable by Whitfield's party in 1735, soon found their way to Morley : and assisted by the celebrated Miss Bosanquet, who then lived at Cross Hall, built a Meeting- house, in 1756. Now. the schemes of the Founder, or Master-builder of this sect were dee]) laid in policy, and evince a thorough knowledge of human nature. Few men. indeed, have shewn themselves better ac- quainted with mankind than John Wesley. He saw clearly the absurdity of those who dream of making converts by argument, or indeed by any other means than those by which the passions are addressed.* He had the craft to perceive what that was which constituted the strength, but he saw also into the weakness of two great systems of eccle- siastical policy. In addition, therefore, to the sweets of melody and display, he enlisted thousands by the fascinations of the marvel- lous, and the charms of novelty. — The foundation-stone, indeed, of his mighty edifice appears to me to be laid in the power of novelty: and so long as that remains, and the mass of mankind are illiterate, the build- ing which he has reared will stand. But the tiling of which I write, however captivating to " the many." has little in it to engage the man of learning and reflection. It presents gratification to the eye, and partly to the ear. but less than either to the mind. It exhibits an ever varying succession of faros and of shews ; but it affords little variety of the contemplative kind. It is better qualified to excite the ebullition of the passions, than to inform the understanding, or discipline the a flections. f This system (A' perpetual change and variety is still, however, admirably adapted to catch the multitude. The mass of mankind, like children, having no resources within them- selves, require continual excitement from Mr. FoBbroke, in that admirable work, his " British Monachism," gives us this very just sentiment : " Fanaticism," Bays he, "will ever have success. It treats upon a subject where there i< a general feeling and interest, ami acts- by i,ji, rating i>i»>h passion, which is always contagious and intel- ligible : because the sensations of all mankind are similar, though their understandings may differ." t Mr Vaughan, in his Life <>f Wycliflfe, has this very sensible remark. "To inform the understanding, and dis- cipline the affections, may have been found a more laborious enterprise than to impress the senses, and to raise indefinite emotion in the place of principle" Vol. 2, p. 330. 87 without. They soon tire of the same person or the same thing, however excellent, and pant for novelty under every form. In country places, especially, their ennui must be banished — their curiosity must be fed, and nothing succeeds with them like a bold assurance, theatrical display, stentorian lungs, and matter of the marvellous and mysterious kind. The contrivance, therefore, which by the selection of fit agents and dexterous shift- ing of the scenes, provides for requisites like these, must needs be admired for its cunning, if not applauded for its effects. It may well enough be imagined, that a scheme planned with uncommon shrewdness, and attended with a corresponding success, would not be lost upon the party opposed most directly to Arminianism, and burning with a kindred zeal to make proselytes. To me it seems evident that they have improved upon the plan even of Wesley, by providing for the excitement and relief which his system supplies, and yet retaining the resident Pastor, in every place advantageous to a people, but more especially in villages. At all events, between the two parties, there have been exhibited here a Ministry, in the general, very different to that of .Mr. Wales, Mr. Nesse, Mr. Sharpe, Mi-. Pickering, Mi-. Daw- son, Mr. Aired, or Mr. Morgan. In days of yore, there was scarcely in the kingdom a more useful, respectable, and lovely character than the Presbyterian village Pastor, lie was not the only shepherd of the flock, but commonly the superintendent nf education, or at least, had private pupils under his own roof. And possessing a fund of general information, with a small fortune, whatever distress arose amongst them, he was (he common refuge of his people — in medical and other concerns he assisted them gratuitously, and with affection; and he seldom forgot them upon a bed of death — but he sought not those who valued not him — he contracted not the ••familiarity" which ••begets contempt" — he lent himself not a pander to the passions of the base — he courted uol the fame of a contemptible popularity. Such, generally, were our old Ministers to the people of these districts to the destitute or distressed — a help in trouble t<» the classes above them, an invaluable treasure — their faithful '• intimates " — their enlightened •• guides "— their delightful " acquaintance." Their houses were the scats of comfort, of hospitality, and of learning. A gentleman might in those times point his finger at the venerable man, and exclaim with exultation to a friend — " There — Sir — is the Pastor of the village." I have before hinted at the love of -'the many " for matter of the mysterious and un- intelligible kind, and I take leave here to advert again to a source from whence is derived the popularity of illiterate and itinerant preachers. It may seem strange to gay of any people that they are most partial to thai which they can least comprehend, but it is nevertheless, too evident to be disputed. The remark, indeed, is not to be confined to the present day, but may be extended to other ages and countries. Diogenes Laertius, for instance, tells us that Heraclitus, the Grecian philosopher, wrote a book " which gained an extraordinary reputation, because iiobodif understood //.'' Now I am well convinced that Heraclitus chose his subject with a single eye to this very popularity, and that, to make ;t assurance doubly sure," he involved it in the darkness of a turgid, verbose, meta- physical, or inflated phraseology.* His object was not to enlighten, to demonstrate and to convince, but to cajole — to astonish, and to confound. Had he lived in our times and country, he would certainly have been called (according to the usual slang) "a fine man" or •• a polished shaft; " but. at all events, his ambition and his craft would have kept him aloof from a small philosophic sect or party which is u every where spoken against" either for their religious or political tenets. In matter of the incomprehensible kind there is that which is naturally imposing — its pretensions are lofty and assuming. Some- what "a kin" to infallibility, it equally demands the surrender of knowledge, and the prostration of reason. It is a mist which magnifies the object in an amazing degree, and invests it with a solemn grandeur — appearing to emanate from superior authority or intelligence, it excites veneration and wonder. This species of "fallacy" powerful enough in itself, acquires, however, additional strength when bv (i, cans of ii ;i sorl of substitute i- proposed foi Christian tempers and social duties There is nothing t<» which fanatics and enthusiasts an- generally more averse, Jual like many sermoni which i have hraxi tnrt mod. sting which, it is difficult tony whether the dictionary or the night cap wu the more necettary accompaniment. 88 than tl) it a Christian Spirit, and moral habits, should be at all set up as the criterion of characl t. They present, as is weU known. a stand rdi of excellence hardly to ho attained withoul many a struggle, many sacrifices, and some discipline, as appointed to man in this probati >nary state. They afford a test by which .nan may be estimated and contrasted with man, with considerable accuracy. Here fraud, hypocrisy, and malevolence are detected and unmasked — the hand writing- appears upon the wall, and it says to the pharisaical professor, however orthodox, " Thou art weighed in the balance and art found want- ing." It has often been remarked, and with great justice, that substitutions for virtues have, in all ages been attempted, and have been suc- cessful. The Heathens with their festivals, processions, and rites ; — the Jews with their pompous and costly ceremonials ; — the Papists with their austerities, their pageantry, and penances ; — the Reformers with their absolu- tions, their formalities, and creeds ; — and alas ! most Dissenters with their dogmas, their pro- fessions, and " experiences," have all strewed poppies over the guilty conscience — but, how- ever popular or acceptable any scheme of religion may be, the devices of man can never affect the nature of holiness or immutability of truth. It would be very easy to pursue the sub- ject, and account for certain changes which have happened at Morley, since the early part of the last century — to show how per- fectly natural it is that any persuasion should be acceptable, which appears,* at least, to release people from the trouble of acquiring moral habits, and cultivating Christian tempers; and no less easy would it be to shew that, when morality is "preached out of doors," when character and conduct are of small account, the inhabitants of any place will become brutal. But, although it is evident that the demoralization of our people is partly occa- sioned by the circumstances alluded to, yet the chief cause of it may well be attributed to the change which has taken place in the t A religion merely notional, or consisting in profession only that is to say, " Faith," of whatever kind, without morals, affords no standard at all. I cannot help here observing, that to propagate any thing which tends to weaken all moral obligation t'> encourage IK ople. who are falie, fraudulent, hypocritical, and malignant, ( i8 an- B I " -" proportion of I he lower Orders) to lad eve them- selves religion! . and the favourite , of heaven, is as pernicious a pracl Ice, and ai complete an Imposture, as was ever practised bj Catholic Priests, in the darkest agi "i Poperj manufacturing system. A change by virtue of which, the lie between 'parent and child has been broken. "Factories." as Dr. Whitaker has well remarked, "are the hot-beds of early im- morality, premature marriage, and unnatural population." If one could wonder at any- thing- now-a-days, it would be that such establishments and their appurtenances have not long since been a subject for legislative interference. One thing is certain, that they have polluted our land in various ways — impoverished thousands, and plagued millions. They have polluted our waters, not a minnow can now live in those brooks, where in my early days I have found both trout and eels. They have polluted our atmosphere and vege- tation, for scarce anything can flourish in their vicinity ; and they have polluted our youth, as I shall show hereafter. Before the introduction of this new and complicated machinery, which has filled our warehouses with cloth, and glutted the markets ;f and while manual labour was the chief requisite, our manufactures advanced progressively ; so that, towards the close of the last century, we had many respectable, substantial, happy clothiers at Morley, who kept their apprentices, servants, and children in some subordination. The village, in these times, wore a cheerful aspect — for industry and content appeared in their dwellings. The loom w r as heard in almost every house, and the beat of the swinging-rods, or the song of joy, resounded through our valleys, from hill to hill. The young people, generally working for their parents, or as servants in the best families, were taught civility, obedience, and domestic management — especially the females, who thus received such lessons of economy as fitted them for the duties of maturer age, or the marriage state. Oh ! what a revolution have I seen ! how altered are the times ! The great mischief of the present system is, that it has completely broken the tie (as I before observed) between parent and child. Our youth, huddled altogether (males and females) in those pest houses — the factories, exposed to the contagion of bad example, and immoral intercourse, soon display a correspond- \ From the best information which I can obtain, the quantity of cloth exported is very small, compared to what is consumed at home, or among British subjects. Perhaps not more than one tenth of our manufactures are really purchased l>v foreigners. One would think that the inference was manifest. Che words " Foreign Trade." like " Constitution " and other high sounding words, seem all a fallacy— a humbug, when closely examined 89 ing deportment. The boy receiving his weekly wages, is now a man at about sixteen years of age, perfectly aware of his independence, and, of course, under no sort of control. He pays his parents, or others, something for his board — gets his clothes out of part, and spends the remainder of his earnings as he pleases. His forefathers, when they thought of marriage, first got a house — then a wife — and then a child ; but the clever fellow of the present day first gets the child, then the ivife, and, last of all, the house. The factory girl too receives her earnings herself, and what she pays not to her parents for necessaries, is expended in extravagance and dress. It may, well enough, be imagined, therefore, how frequently such "independent people" con- sult their friends in the affair of marriage, and are influenced by their advice or com- mands in any respect. It is generally thought. I believe, pretty clever if, between the two purses, there can be " raised " a bed, a few chairs, and a table. The tie of authority thus broken — the tie of duty and affection is of small account. The servant is now the master — the child is now the lodger only. lie follows not his parents, as in days of yore, to the house of God ; nor. peradventure, if he did, would he hear much of those precepts which were ever on the lips of our Old Pastors — " Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." '•The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it." No ! no! we are grown too wise, hereabouts, to approve anything but " doctrinal preaching" — the speaking of k * experiences" * — and discussion of "the points." It needs no proving that the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, of all ages, must be very baneful to society. It encourages all the bad passions and propensities, and none of the good ones. It banishes all modesty and self esteem — respect to superiors, ami civility lo neighbours. If is the nurse of ignorance, impudence, and presumption. If begets pauperism ami poverty — most serious incum- brances upon small freeholds, ami must serious mischiefs elsewhere. In short, however severe Upon this point, to do the men of the present da] justice, they are, I believe, pretty consistenl tor In i find the same class of Dissenters admitted none as mi i of their church who could not give a sufficient s the whole congregation th.it they wer In a Sec Appendix to the Life of Archbishop Sanoroft, p. ii". Dr. Whitaker may be thought in some of his strictures on the factory system, we are often reminded of the truth of them, by woeful experience in these districts. Respecting Morley, in a local and pic- turesque view, I cannot but observe (detesting as I do a flat country) it excels any village hereabouts ; and much more any village that I have noticed in the dull, uniform, scenery of the Midland Counties. Perhaps 1 may be- thought partial to the place, but I assure the reader I have no extraordinary reason to be so ; — or my taste may be questioned — but that I cannot help. There is, certainly, nothing so various as taste;* and there mas- be people, for anything that I know, who prefer the views in Cambridgeshire, for in- stance, to those of Windermere and the Vale of Keswick ; or the Desarts of Africa to the Vale of Arno. At all events, I am not very singular in my opinion, for many of our visitors from the South, and some settlers from flat countries, are much pleased with the picturesque, if not romantic, beauties of Morley — its hills and valleys — its woods and waters— its fine prospects and diversified walks — its pure air and excellent springs — the line country around it, and convenient distance of the market towns. Morley is four miles from Leeds; six and a half from Wakefield; five Prom Dewsbury ; eleven from Iluddersfield ami Halifax: and seven from Bradford; it is situate, therefore, near the centre of perhaps the mosl populous district in the kingdom, save one. taking twelve miles as the radius of the circle. It is in the very heart of a country abounding in coal of every kind, and in quarries of excellent stone. Its inhabitants, generally, arc; very liealthy,.and many attain (o a con- siderable age. One Mary Hartley, who died not long ago. at (he age of One hundred and four or five, has related to mo many par- ticulars of what passed here daring the Scotch Rebellion, and I have known several who nearly reached one hundred years. Knowing that to many il will be of interest to note the waxing ami waning of some denominations in the Christian World within Our parish during the last and present century. I here present an extract from a Survey taken by the Vicar of Batley, Mr. Scott, in L764. \ cnrlous Instance may be seen in Forster's Perennial lar, relating t<> Dr. Johnson, and which Is confirmed in •i Paper in the Uentleman's Magazine, vol. 93 part 2nd,p 00 Pot its accuracy 1 cannot vouch. Indeed I believe it to be erroneous in some respects. Ghh. Families, com. Fam& Preens, [nda Die. An. Batley 326 811 224 I ,"»i t:> <> Morley 259 619 72 L29 9 39 4 Gildereome 16G 393 65 6 23 60 Churwell ... 68 1 40 40 22 1 1 Besides these there were, it seems, six Mora- vian families in Morley,* and one Quaker family in Gilders ome. In 1811, a census of population was taken, when it appeared there were in Batley, 2975; — in Morley, 2Jr>7; — Churwell. 666; — Gil- dereome, 1400. In May (4th,) 1821, the population of Morley township stands thus : — Inhabited Houses, G$o; — Families, 634; — Houses building, 2; — Empty ditto, 37; — Farmers, 56; — Traders, 144; — Others. 28o9 ; .Males. 1.3-37 ;— Females, 1482 ;— Total. ;J0o<). Upon a few of the ancient houses in this and the neighbouring* villages, are found dates, which shew them to have been built, from 1G80 to 1707, and these appear to have been once inhabited by people in good cir- cumstances. To the increasing prosperity of the woollen trade, these are doubtless, to be attributed. One house of this kind, near Morley Hole, formerly the property of a Mr. llalstead, the village surgeon, has upon it the date, 1681, and another, formerly the resi- dence of John Dawson, Esq., has 1G83. There is another house of the same reign (Charles 2nd) but without date, belonging to my much valued friend, Mr. Swinden, sur- geon, &c. It was purchased by Miss Waller, of one Richard Huntington, and, as appears from the Title Deeds, was called "Yew Tree House." This Lady was much attached to Mr. Aired, the old Minister, and perhaps might have married him, if some disparity in age — her deformity, and his disinclinations, had not hindered. She left him, however, by her will some property, especially this dwell- ing, which his devisees sold to the Rayners, a family in which it remained for three or four generations. Now it appears, from a grave stone in the Chapel-yard, that Richard I ho son of Richard Huntington, was here interred, in September, L679, and from a Comparison of buildings. I infer it was built by this person. But there is a class of houses still more There were in \^K>, about L0 church people ; Independ cnt.s, 860 : M'-tliMlists. 670; Ra&terfl <>f the .Methodist (las.,, B0; Anabaptlcta, perhaps, 10; Presbyterians, number un- known ;— Moravians, none ; — liuukeis, nunc ; -Catholics, 1. ancient, and all without dates, which appear to ha\c hern built during- the Commonwealth times. One of them mi the left side of the way on entering the village from Leeds, has upon his gateway the inscription* — "Porta patens esto, Xulli claudaris honesto." Tradi- tion says, that Mr. Pickering-, the Minister, "nee lived here; after him. and probably till 1 <'•'».">. when he died, one "Wyther," an attorney, who lies buried at Batley. Next, probably, one Rothwell, a schoolmaster, and at length some of the Rayner family. There is another house on Banks-hills, which it is not unlikely was built during the " Oliver days." when it is compared with a known house of the Protectorate, at Ardsley. Another house at the town end. now the " Boot and Shoe " Alehouse, 1 refer to James the lst's reign — if not before it. The most curious dwelling, however, in this vicinity, is " Slack's Cottage" — an ancient farm-house, the property of the Earl of Dartmouth. 1 infer it to have been once occupied by a sub- stantial farmer, from what Drake tells us in his Illustrations of Shakspeare. ww The cottages of the peasantry," says he, " usually consisted of but two rooms on the ground floor — the outer for the servants, aud the inner for the master and his family, and they were thatched with straw or sedge, while the dwelling of the substantial farmer was distributed into several rooms above and beneath, was coated with white lime or cement, and was neatly roofed with reed." Now this cottage of Slack's does not cor- respond exactly with either description, but, appearing to have been chamber height, I refer it to the latter class. This singular building, which has under- gone so many alterations both within and without, as to mock antiquarian observation, is an ancient lath and plaster, or "post and pan" cottage, of exactly the same construc- tion as the Chapel, as to its roof especially. The shaft of the chimney, immensely large and formed of lath and plaster, with a top of sticks and bindings, being doubtless a funnel for the smoke, constructed at an after period, displays the antiquity of the dwelling. — But the fire-place is the most surprising — it is eleven feel ben inches wide; five feet two inches deep; and five feet five inches high. In the centre of this space, no doubt, in ancient times, was the reredosse or the skeleton of a rude ranges and here, around a I'ullcil down, February 'Jltb, 1880, but rebuilt as before; 91 fire, partly perhaps of coal, but principally of wood, did the ancestors of Slack sit plaiting- their straw hats by the light of the chimney in the day time. These interesting- glimpses at the occupations and habits of our old natives, I have delighted from boyhood to catch from the oldest people. If they seem strange at the present day, how much more will they amuse our posterity ? In this place it may not be amiss to notice the Wapentake or Weapontake to which the town of Morley gave its name in the Saxon times. A learned writer observes upon this word that, " anciently ' musters ' were taken of the armour and weapons of the several inhabi- tants of every Hundred, and from such as could not find sufficient pledges of their good abearing, their weapons were taken and delivered to others." Another writer says the word comes from the Saxon " Waepen " and " Taccan " — to deliver by reason that the tenants anciently delivered their weapons to every new Lord as a token of homage. Other accounts or rather conjectures as to the meaning of this word, and the nature of these assemblages, have been given by other authors ; with which, as they neither amuse me, nor probably would the leader. I abstain from inserting here, especially as 1 doubt not that these musters are referable to the tenures under which great part of the land in this kingdom were once holden. Our great Lords, anciently, as is well known, had their inferiors, who held land under them by military service; and these again had their servants or rather vassals, who, upon every summons, were brought into the field at the call of their superior. The Weapontake. therefore, or in- spection of arms, was perhaps held on the summons of this great Lord, and the continu- ation of tenure would be determined upon review at the muster. 1 own it once struck me that these assemblages of the Hundred here were anciently convened upon our Low Common ; for. until our Enclosure in 1-S17, there were two small mounds or hillocks, about four or live feet high, and situate from each other about ten or twelve yards. These, from time to time, were supplied with fresh turf. Per- haps they had once been of larger size than as 1 saw them, but that it had been obligatory upon our townsmen to support them, is mani- fest from an inquiry made of our Constable, by the Stewards of the Court Baron, at Brad- ford, — ^ Do you Iceep up your butts?" — the origin of which inquiry and usage I certainly then misunderstood — the cause of my error will appeal' presently. " Butts." says Mr. Nicolas, "were mounds of earth erected for the purpose of a target, against which arrows were shot, &c. They were called ' rounds,' no doubt, from their form. In the fifth year of Edward the 4th, an Act passed that every Englishman and Irishman dwelling with Englishmen, should have an English bow of his own height, which was to be of yew, wych, hazel, ash, or awborne, &c. ; and that ' butts ' should be made in evert/ Township* at which the inhabi- tants should shoot up and down every feast- day, under the penalty of a halfpenny, when they should omit this exercise." Henry the 8th also, in the third year of his reign, ordered that every father was to pro- vide a bow and two arrows for his son. when he should arrive at seven years old ; and by an Act (sixth of his reign) compelled every one but the Clergy and Judges to shoot at "butts."* Now I had long suspected that our butts might have been for purposes of archery, but not being able to connect this subject with the ordinary inquiry in the Court Baron, -at Bradford, and finding the mounds or " rounds" so very near together (whereas in early times they were one hundred, one hundred and forty-eight, or even one hundred and sixty yards asunder) I naturally aban- doned an idea which 1 now believe to be correct, and vainly supposed that our Weapon- take had been held at this place. What principally convinces me, however, of my mistake is, thai 1 have actually discovered the place where the inspection of arms was taken -at leasl such is my firm conviction. We have a place at the Town's-end known to all our villagers b}' the name of "the Ratten-Row " or " Rotten-Row," — a name of very high antiquity. The learned Camden deduces it from the German Freebooters or hireling auxiliaries, formerly brought into this country. " Rotten Or RottUTen," -ays lie, "signifies " to muster' hence ltotmeister — B Corporal," &c. — This appellation, as we are The inhabitants of the Pariah of Norton, in Derbyahiv were obliged so lately as the fear l.v.o to keep t\w> ).utt-< to shoot at, and to keep them in repair under mute-in penalties. ami to p ovide then sons and men-servants with bows and .•mows See i > ion's .M. B. vol. r>, p. ISO, See an Instanos of ameroemenl for not keeping butts in repair. Ploh's Leicester- shire, \oi :;. i> L1S9 92 assured by a writer in the Ajchssologia,* oocora also at York, Nottingham, Sedburg, and Darlington. "A1 three of these plao says he, "we likewise meel with ■ Kungate,' the Etymon of which has not a little per- plexed the late Dr. Drake, who observes, in his Eboiacon, p. 312, that ' Hungrygate is but a poor conjecture,' and afterwards re- marks • that the place was formerly inhabited by many eminent merchants.' If it would uol be thought pedantry in me to give my opinion," says he, "I should, decisively, derive it from the Huns or Easterling mer- chants, who had staples or marts at the most considerable towns in the kingdom." Now it is delightful to me to have to inform the reader that we not only have a " Eatten-Row " at Morley, as there is also at Leeds, Wakefield. Halifax, Hunsiet, and per- haps Brighouse; but we have"#e HungrM" very near it. Another evidence of the ancient greatness of Morley. " Eatten-Row ," how- ever, on the best authority . is " Muster-How ," and this is the very word applied to the Weapontake as before quoted. — And thus (as I fancy) I have solved a very curious question. Not far from the - Ratten-Kow " there was, in my younger days, a pond, with even the bucket of the ancient Ducking Stool re- maining ; but some new houses belonging to Mr. Isaac Crowther are now built upon the spot. I have only to add, for the gratifica- tion of antiquaries, that the Rods or Rodes, and a place formerly called "Weaver-hill," is not far distant. As to the butts upon, what was called, the Low Common, they stood upon ground now the property of the late Mr. Joseph Dixon's family, and were swept away upon our late Inclosure. At some ancient period there had, perhaps, been corresponding butts at the usual distances within the old inclosures, or rather encroachments ; for, that such had been made, the very appearance of the "Chapel Flatts," or rather the " Flatt-end," testified some year- ago. At all events this ground, the North side of the Chapel-yard, and the Low Common were certainly the village play-ground, and that, in my opinion, as latch as the reign of Charles the 1st ; for some Of hia coins, now iii my possession, were found in the hedges' banks, and the village -p«>rts were on the Common till L816. Vol. 10, p. 01. The next thing deserving of notice in Morley is our Stone Quarries. They were first opened, or began to be noted, very early in the last century, and through the liberality of the Earls of Dartmouth have supported many delvers and masons. a< well as improved the village. The stone, to be sure, is rather perishable, but then it is handsome— easy to work, and better than most brick. My mention of these Quarries, however, is prin- cipally on account of the organic remains found within them. These are chiefly fossil stems of plants which, for ages have been unknown in this kingdom, and probably in Europe ; especially the bamboo, reed, or cane, which, I suppose, is now a native of the Indies or of Africa only. " This fossil," says Mr. Parkinson, "is frequently found where strata of sandstone are found nigh strata of coal.* ; Mr. Martin,' says he, ' has seen single joints of it in ironstone. This species — very numerous, can now onl}- obtain the name of fossalia incognita — Botanists having not 3'et been able to discover any existing analogious plants.' " Merely observing in confirmation of Mr. Parkinson's remark that this fossil is commonly met with in all our neighbouring stratas of stone, especially at Dewsbury, I proceed to relate what was dis- covered here in 1824, as it is far more curious. Sometime in the summer of this year, in a solid block of stone, and at a depth of twenty- five feet from the surface of the earth, there were found eight or ten fossil nuts or acorns, supposed by the workmen to have been oak acorns. I quickly heard of them — made them my own, and have examined them carefully. Some are imbedded in the sand stone, others have fallen out, leaving their impressions, and what was once their husk, or shell. The nuts are "ovale" and "lingular" which proves them not to have been oak acorns, besides which, they do not seem to have been fixed in a calix or cup, but like f stone fruit (e . g.) cherries to have hung suspended by a stalk. That these were the nuts of the " Carpinus Betulus," (the larger hornbeam) rather than of the beech, as 1 at first suspected, there can be little doubt ; however, that the learned reader may have a specimen whereby to judge for himself, 1 refer him to the Museum, at 1 ioeds, where he may find it with this classi- cal description "Phytolithus Accutulinum," A " Organic Remains, " p. 433. 1 If my memory does not fail me I have seen such tilings called "Droops," either in Linnaeus or some other eminent Writer. — Martin — u Flag-stone — Chapel- ABorton." Whether the learned gentleman who wrote this knew what the nuts were, does not appear — if he did, he should have told the public, as scarcely one person in ten thousand would prefert wo hard words to three or four intelligible ones: although the mass of man- kind think far best of that of which they understand the least. I have only to add. that my nuts are larger and much better defined than those at Leeds. In the same block of stone in which these nuts were discovered, there were also fossil remains of the cane or reed just mentioned ; and, what is most curious, a piece of iron of the wedge form, two or three inches long. This iron, which was found by a stone mason, at Leeds, was sent up to London, to be sold, so that I can give but an imperfect account of it ; but I have a stone with various im- pressions from our Quarries, evidently made in most remote ages, by what appears to have been the handycraft work of man. There is one peculiarity in nry specimen of these organic remains which, as it sensibly operates upon my mind, so I am in hopes it may amuse others. Some of my nuts have assuredly not arrived at maturity when they fell from the tree and were overwhelmed by that awful catastrophe whereby the " founda- tions of the great deep were broken up-." Now in whatever month this took place, every record and tradition seems to refer it to sometime in summer or the beginning- of autumn. But as the inclination of the Earth's axis is said to have varied, and the Beasdns have certainly done so, not only within the course of a few centuries, but perceptibly within the memory of man. there can be no reliance upon the point with reference to our months. I am satisfied, however, from the foregoing, that in England the larger horn- beam is indigenous — that it grew to its full size and brought its nuts to maturity in what is now Yorkshire ; and possibly near the spot where are now our Quarries, before the last* General Deluge or great Convulsion of Natun . And it seems far more reasonable to believe that those other productions of hot countries just mentioned, wore grown here when the climate was different, than that they should have been wafted by the ocean thousands of miles, and deposited in Britain. * I say the last General Deluge, because it appears t<> bm that one Deluge will not account for appearance in rarloui parts of the Earth, See especially the Discoverit? of i u\ in As much has been said about deposits made by the overflow of rivers of various things, which in the course of ages have l>ecome fossil, 1 will just state that our Quarries are situate near the Turnpike-road from Wakefield to Bradford, almost the highest tract in the county, and are situate also at about an equal distance from the "Aire" and the " ('alder;" so that any hypothesis of this kind as to these hornbeam nuts is precluded; and although there is no record or tradition, or appearance of this Quarry ground being other than waste, yet it is far from unlikely that hornbeams once flourished upon the soil which, borne down by the general Deluge along with other wood, were all converted to other substances, while their fruit, inter- mingled with canes, and lighter woods, have floated further, got imbedded among the sea sand (now stone) and become fossils. I have stated that these Quarries were not opened before the early part of the last century, and this I believe, from inquiry, to have been the fact. A\ nence then, it may be asked, was the stone gotten whereby the ancient stone houses hereabouts have been built? This is a perplexing question.* It was not gotten at the Pinfold Quarry, for a very aged man, one Thomas Westerman, could well remember its being opened for materials wherewith to mend the roads ; nor were they ever fit for an} r other use, — and as to any other stone, there is scarcely any fit for building purposes. It seems, therefore, likely that the stone in question was brought from a distance. That with which the Mausoleum of my family is constructed, cer- tainly came from Westerton. Whoever visit- our village will perceive much stone of an ornamental kind — such as round balls — trellice or open work, such a- is seen crowning our ancient baronial mansions — wrought toppings, &C. It may be proper to mention that much of this came from Eowley-Hall, purchased as it was by .Mi'. Scatcherd, Mr. Dawson, and others, when that noble edifice was demolished. Much of it also went to Birstal; and. in short, few of it- Burrounding villages are without a large portion of the ruins. There i< one thing to be told of our ,,|d villagers, which may perhaps excite a smile. I mean their anxiety to keep up the good (.hi Osage of i he •■ Ducking-Stool? 1 Originally it Bometlmei i ham thought they have been built out of tbo •.he ancient Chapel '..1 stood somewhere abort where the •• Pinfold" or Common Pound now is, and was removed to Muilov Hole, upon the opening of the Quarry for repairs of the roads. Its final rercnve, according to tradition, was to the " Plush Pond." at the other end of the town. and aear" Ratten-Row," as before 1 mentioned. A certain writer, whose name I forget, observes merrily, "that the Puritans were particularly careful to keep up these instru- ments of punishment for brawling women;" but why they should be so particularly anxious upon such a subject it would be difficult to discover. For my own part, I have as often observed them near Churches as elsewhere, and have often thought that if with the stocks, for brawling- people of the other sex, they were more in use it would be no worse for society. This punishment of the Ducking-Stool is very ancient, and its history so amusing, that I shall here again resort to my commonplace- book. The Saxons called the Ducking-Stool the "Scealfmg Stole" J or "Scolding Stool." We find it an instrument of punishment, in the time of Henry 3rd, under the name of "Tomberell"§ or "Tumbrill." Afterwards called the '*Trebucket' , or " Cucking-Stool ;" and in one of the books of the Exchequer for Cornwall, we are told by Mr. Lyson,|| that the following curious entry may be found : — " Man de Colford Farlo, &c. temp. TIen v - 3rd. Quia per objurgationes et ineretrices niulta mala in manerium oriuntur, et lites, pugnae, defamationes, et alia3 multse inquietationes per earum butesias et clamores ; igitur utimui* de eisdem, quod, cum captse fuerint, habeant judicium de la Colring-Stole. et ibi stabunt, nudis pedibus, et suis Crinibus pendeutibus, et dispersis, tantb tempore ul aspici possint ab omnibus per Viani transeuntibus, secundum voluntatem Balivorum nostronim capitalium."^! Perhaps o.ur ladies of the present day would think this rather harsh usage — perhaps some gallant may tell me they never deserve it. Be that as it, may, the flitch of bacon has not, been claimed at J Blount's Tenures by lieokwith, P MO. § Stowe's Annals, p, 290. I! Slag. Brit. vol. :;, p. 824 ■i Sec OUurkson'a Richmond, p. 260 ; also, Hone's Everyday Book, vol. 2, i>. m»o. Another Instrument formerly used for the correction of scolds in various parte of the kingdom, was the "Bridle" or "Brink-." See Plot's History or Stafford shire, p. :«!>. Byson's Mag. Brit. v. 2, p. 191 786. Brand, v. -1, p. •»<.»] 786. Brand, V. 2, p. L42. By Statute 61st. of Henry Bid Brewers and Bakers, committing frauds, were to Be ducked in stinking water. Dumnow, in Essex, since 1751 — a fact which rather looks suspicious. Riding the Stang upon a fight between husband and wife was in common use at Morley dining the last century, but is now discontinued. " Staung," says Hicks, Eboracensibus est Lignum Obion ji'iim Oontus bajulorum. A person," he adds, "is made to ride on a pole for his neighbour's wife's fault;" by which, I suppose, he meant, when she beat her husband : this, however, is an imperfect account, for the stang was often ridden when he beat her. But whatever might be the event of the battle, the wife had always one consolation, which was that of enjoying the honours of the victory. A wanton wag, upon these occasions, was carried on a stang or pole — he was followed by a number of such mischievous dogs as himself, and was set down or mounted on a wall when the " Nomine " was to be repeated. Beating a pan at such places, he pronounced aloud some doggerel lines, varying according to the talents of the cryer, but always begin- ning thus — " ftanty tan— tan— tan, You may hear by the sound of my frying pan That Mistress — has beat her good man:" The rest was, generally, such sad trash that I cannot venture to give a specimen. I cannot help remarking, in this place, how jealous our forefathers were of their domestic consequence, and how fearful they generally appeared of wC petticoat Government." — With these " Lords of the Creation," it was a maxim that " all toll should come into the right toll dish ;" by which they meant to tell us that tribute of every kind was to be paid to the head, or master of every family, as its proper sovereign. — They tell us that " the same thing may be said of wives as of money* or of fire — that they are as they are used — helpers or hwters — good servants but bad masters" — that " for the most* part it falleth out that where wives will rule all, they mar all " — maxims which a certain writer gravely Bays he heard spoken by wise Lords of the Star Chamber, in the cases of the Lady Lake and Countess of Suffolk. And, finally, we are presented with their thoughts in verse — ' ' ( 'oncoming wives take this a certain rule- That if, at first, you let them have the rule, Yourself with them, at last, shall bear no rule, Except you let them evermore to rule." ' There is a most amusing Letter upon this subject in Lodge's Illustrations of English History. The Bishop of Lichfield interfering in a dispute between the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury, tells his Lordship that it is "a com- mon jeste, yet trewe in some sence, that there is but one Shrewe in all the worlde, and every man hath her." Lyson'a Mag. Brit. vol. 5, p. 115. 95 Nor were the Laity only tenacious of these points in the good old days of the Common- wealth, and Protectorate especially, but their Pastors * (who could quote higher authorities than that of " Lords of the Star Chamber,") occasionally supported their authority. They not only maintained, with St. Paul, that women should keep silence in the churches. but they commanded them to be reverential and obedient to their husbands at home. I low- wonderfully have women got up in society since their days ! ! ! — How altered, for the most part, are the usages of the times ! Could one of our manly, unpretending, forefathers return to us, he would at once exclaim in the language of the poet — " This is not the world in which 1 was born." Another curious custom of our village, now little known, is that of "Trashing" or pelting common people with old shoes on their return from Church upon the wedding-day. f There were originally certain offences which sub- jected the parties to this unpleasant liability, such as refusing to contribute to scholars' "Potations" or other convivialities; but in process of time the reason of the thing was forgotten, and trashing was universal among the lower orders. Turf or u Sods" being substituted for old shoes, and thrown in jest and good humour, not in anger or illwill. Although it is true that to this day an old shoe is called "a Trash." as is every thing, indeed, of no value; yet this, certainly, did not give the nuisance its name. To u Trash " signifies to clog, incumber, or impede! and accordingly we Hnd the rope tied by spoils- men round the necks of fleet pointers, to tire them well and check their speed, is here- abouts called a " Dog Trash." But why old shoes in particular were selected as missiles most proper for impeding the progress of new married persons, it is difficult to discover. § The following passage. however,may perhaps have some bearing on the subject. ' The good old Puritans insisted on the woman's Inferiority and submission: first, because she was second in order of creation; and next, because she was first in the transgres- sion ! ! ! In the Statutes of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Ver^ere arc ordered to be unmarried men, for tliis amusing reason " Because a man cannot serve two masters his wife and bis official duty." Oentleman's Magazine, L823. pari 2, i». 234. I hope none of my acquaintance will believe that I mean any- thing offensive by these exl t Mr. Hone lias done me the honour to insert an account transmitted to him of this usage, in his amusing "Table Jiook, vol. 2, p. 34S. ! This is abundantly proved by Nares in his Glo* I article. Shoes or kemp shoe-. § Since writing the above I have discovered that to tinny, an old shoe after a person was considered as lucky in former times. Leobard, the celebrated Saint of Tours, in the sixth century, being persuaded in his youth to marry, gave his betrothed a ring* — a kiss — and a pair of vhoes. This ceremony has been explained very much to the dis- honour of the Ladies, as referring to the absolute servitude of the parties, who in this instance, Avere symbolically tied (to use an expressive phrase) " Neck and liccls." ~ It is by no means my intention to notice all the fooleries of our ancient villagers, but merely such as are least noticed in antiquarian works, and appear most humourous. Like other people of their times, they were full of whimsies and, superstitious fears. Their talk, of course, would run upon witches, wizards, omens, and preternatural appearances, especi- ally on wittier evenings. Even yet one may see, occasionally, the horse shoe behind the door of the house, or the branch of a " Wiggin "j in the stable, while the balk of the former will, peradventure. bear marks of the redhot poker from one extremity to the other. From attentive observation and from read- ing, I incline to think not only that our ancient English pronunciation and words, but expressions also, are better preserved in our West-Uiding (especially about Morley), than in any other part of the United Kingdom, and this I hope to prove by a glossary! of our words accompanied by authorities. For the present 1 shall confine myself to a few phrases — one of them is, " Woe ivorlh thee " — a malediction taken from Ezekiel, 30th, v. 2, and often used by our common people. When the widow of Edward the 4th, hear- ing of the imprisonment of her brother. Lord Rivers, and other friends, by the Duke of Gloucester, took sanctuary in Westminster; Rotherham, Archbishop of York, and Chan- cellor, repaired to her, for her comfort, with the great seal, and with a friendly message from the Lord Hasting-. ■•.[ woe worth him" quoth the Queen, lor it i< he thatgoeth to destroy me " and my blood." •• Fair fall thee," is the opposite wish at Morley, and denotes a blessing. This was probably not the "Gimmal Ring," but the " Sponsaliuin Annul See Ajronasol. vol. 17, p. 1J7. i The Yorkshire word for the mountain ash. Horn |. 674 ThiB.il I mistake not, is the" Rantry" Sorbus aucuparis or mountain ash, a noted charm a witchcraft. Collars ol the mountain ash were ancient!] put apon the necks of cattle to keep off witches, This [a ■ i»urc Celtic custom. See Popr. Intiqa i .My Glossary must, 1 fear, be omitted. 90 •• Many come up." and u No many."'* are often found in our Monkish writers, and often heard here — Marry is evidently pul for Mary. See Accedens of Armorie, fo. L20. •• Wilto shalto," or " \Y\\\ you nil you." Stowe's Annals, p. 174— -350. " By't Mess," or " By the Mass," is certainly older than Elizabeth's reign, but was common in the early part of James's. The solemn asseveration of a Priest, and, as I believe, the oath very common in parlance among- the Laity, was swearing* u by the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ." So that this kind of swear- ing- was very little thought of, even in the middle ages — " By the Mass I'll box you," " By Cocke I'll foxe you."— Old J7. 1, 21G. Much less were the Popisli elements con- sidered, when Major Great-heed swore " By't Mess, lie would take Sir John Armit age's house with twenty men."f Another phrase which seems peculiar now to these parts, is one often applied to a notoriously idle fellow. Of such an one it is said, " He has gotten t' fever harden," which means the lazy fever. Doctor Andrew Boorde, a celebrated phy- sician and scholar, of Henry 8th's reign, in a treatise on fevers, makes a few remarks upon this head, which are so humourous as to merit particular notice, and shall be substituted for a tedious account of the etymology of the word "lurdan," " This fever," says he, " doth come naturally, or els by evyll and slouthful brynging up. If it do come by nature, then the fever is incurable, for it can never be out of the fleshe that is bred in the bone: Yf it <<>nie by slouthful brynging up, it may be holpen by diligent labour." (••A Remedy,")— " There is nothing- so good for the fever lurden as unguentum baculiiium; that is to say, — Take a sticke, or wan, of a yarde of length or more, and let it be as great as a man's finger, and with if anoynt the bark and the shoulders well, mornyng and evenyng, and do this twenty- one dayes; and if this fever will nol be holpen Sec also Speed, 849. * Sec Note in a preceding page, to which may lie added, thai Charles the 2nd's common oath was " God's Pish," (evidently a corruption of Ood's flesh.) See Note i<> Life of Lord Russell, p. 02, or Calamy's Memorial, vol. I. p. 114. in the middle age solemn oaths were often taken after anon the acramenl or consecrated elements which were believed to be, as thej still arc bj the CatholicB, the very flesh, <>r body and blood of Chri t, Sence the expression Corporal Oath," and Llie name of tlic Baoramcntal cloth— tlic " Corporate." in thai tyme, let them beware of waggynge on the galowes; and whyles they do take theyr medicine, put no lubberwort into theyr potage." Anoihei- curious custom among the lower orders now disused, is that of " Ranneling," which indeed seems peculiar to this district. When a boy is rannelled, he is seized by his comrades, and is hair is by them so ruffled that the head appears like a mop. Rannel is, I have no doubt, a corruption of raddle — to twist or interweave. There is, perhaps, scarcely one word which better displays the antiquity of our provincial expressions than that of " Laikins " — i. e. — playthings. " Laikan," says Dr. Pegge, " originally signified ludcre — exultare. It is somewhat remarkable," says he, "that this word laccan, to play, though we find no traces of it in the Saxon, is still prevalent in a certain district. In some parts of York- shire, to lake is to play, and laikans are playthings."* A very common expression with us at Morley is to say — " I could not find in my heart," f — instead of — I could not bear to do such and such a thing. Every person con- versant with our old writers knows very well how generally they used it. Nothing is more common also in this dis- trict than to hear a person abused by the word " Bastard." I do not believe that any part of England but ours employs it as our lower orders do. In history we read of "Bastard Falconbridge,"J -Bastard Heron," -Bastard Dacres," " The Bastard of Salis- bury," and " Bastard of Exeter," and I know not how many others, all of them, doubtless, royal bastards. Even William the Conqueror was familiarly called "The Bastard," and probably not without cause; for without adverting to the numerous Fitxs § in our annals, we may reasonably conclude from the habits of the great, that however '•legitimate" they might be in one sense of the word, they were, mostly, illegitimate in another. Bastard is not now, however, an appellation of honour — at least at Morley, nor indeed do I know that it ever was. One of onr children's games, called "Tig," is very curious, and being worthy of illustration, as to its origin, 1 purpose to attempt it in Borne Periodical WOik. I Speed, 543. | Stowe's Anns. Temp. II. H. 6, and ll. 8, page 828, &c. § Page ^st. Speed, Tin, jfco. se also, Bapin, vol l,p 300. in Speed we have p. 134, & the word "Nothus," which often appears In the Batley Register. 97 The kindred word "Cuckold" also, with the very comfortable adjunct of " old," (L e. old cuckold) is not imfrequently heard here- abouts, however little gTound there may be for the application. It is the " dernier resort" among our lower classes as a mode of provo- cation ; and a Yorkshireman assures himself that when every other epithet of abuse and degradation is exhausted, there is still one by the sound of which his antagonist will be called to battle — " May the curse of the crows light on you," is the dreadful and dreaded malediction of the Irish. And it seems not improbable that both people con- sider the same thing as the greatest calamity and disgrace which can happen to a man.* Of the same species with the forementioned is the ludicrous appellation "Riggald," or as it should be spelt Righold, which is ubi testiculus imus in dorso retinetur. From some cause, for which I cannot account, we hear but seldom of these kind of people now, which seems a pity, as it would be as well for society if the species were multiplied. Newts or askerds, a very common York- shire word, is also of high antiquity. They are a species of lizard, found commonly in old banks and near water. — " Ye spotted snakes with double tongue, Thorny hedgehogs be not seen — Newts and blindworms do no wrong, Come not near the fairy queen." For the antiquity of "asker," 1 must briefly refer the reader to the Gentleman's Magazine for 1754, p. 359. It would be easy to prove many other of our words to be ancient English, or Saxon, but I shall only mention one more, though common with us and our more Northern neighbours, viz. : — " Barns," or as the Scots write it, " Bairns," — (children). A write]- as old as Henry ord's reign, says — " Mercie for Mary's love of licav'n, " Who bore the blissful BARNK, that bought us on the rode" One word or two now as to pronunciation. We call a plough — a plow, or a pleuf — and thus Piers' Ploughman — ' God save the King, and speed the ploughe, And send the Prelate care ynough." The rest of such words as just now occur to toe 1 will insert, with references to authority which proves my point. Let these tew, how- ever, suffice — " Kuss " — to kiss ; — " kist " — a chest;— "keel"— to cool;— "lig" — to lay with ; — " muck " — dirt ; — " mouldewarp " — a • One common phrase la " U ; Dicky with blm," which baa I doubt not, been retained since Richard thi 8rd i d least., if not Richard the 2nd's. The meaning is, that it with such a one, or he is ruined. mole ; — " stee " — a stile or ladder ; — " theik " — to thatch ; — " wark " — work ; — " watter " — water; — "girn" — to grin; — "quishin or wishin " — a cushion ; — " yearth " — earth ; j — " heng " — for hang- — anciently spelled henge. There is one word which we use in a singular sense, yet exactly as it was used at Court, in Henry the 7th's time at least, and and that is the word "feel," which not only means to touch, but to smell. Whoever would wish to peruse a most curious docu- ment, taken from the Ilarleian MSS., and enjoy a laugh at the oddity of Court instruc- tions in days of yore, may find a copy in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1787. vol. 57, p. 21; suffice it here to observe that our English Ambassadors who Avere deputed to treat for a marriage between Prince Arthur and the young- Queen of Naples (Catherine of A rragon) are enjoined amongst innumerable other thing's, "to approach as near to her mouth as they honestly may, to th' entent they may 'feel' the condition of her breath, &c., and if they 'feel' any savour of spices — rose water, or muske, by the 'breath of her mouth,' to 1 marke the same at every tyme.' " The whole of this most singular paper discovers to us from what source that monster, Henry 8th, acquired his mighty fastidious taste in regard to the Ladies, and pretty well justifies the refusal of a foreigner of rank \ to marry him, "not being- (as she sent him word) dis- tinguished by Providence with the capital advantage of two necks." It is time, however, to dose the subject, and I shall, therefore, only add my hopes thai from the foregoing instances the reader will perceive the ignorance of those who talk about our provincial dialect ; or, at least, that. they are people little conversanl with our old historians and poets, and not much in the habit of noting the curiosities of literature. That OUT ancient English has been long and gradually retiring from the Metropolis, is my (inn conviction, as also that, from some un- known cause, we have more of it retained in this vicinity than even in our mosl Northern paris. The traces of ancient sports or super- stitions J can often observe in our children 1 games, and one of the most remarkable 1 have communicated to the publics 1 So also we in-" for much ; "Shu | Po age for pott i ' : •■■ D I ' :i hut I MM' mj authority for the anecdote. § SCC llolK 1)8 Not far from our Stone Quarries is " Slump Cross," — the present stone dues qo1 seem ancient. Ii stands by the side of the line of road called the " StreSet," a Roman military way. and just ai the spot where our road from Morley meets it — and here we have some curious particulars to notice. Stump Gross is an expression applied for those stones, which for ages have been merely boundary stones. || " Many of these Crosses," ays Astle, " were anciently demolished by the Christians, being', by them, supposed to have been dedicated to idolatrous purposes, and their ancient names were soon forgotten ; which may be the reason why so many broken stones are called ; Stump Crosses.' " As to the " Street" having anciently been a military road, it is proved in various ways. " The Saxon word," says Drake, " apparently comes from stratum, which in Pliny signifies a street or paved highway." " Wherever," he adds, " we meet with a road called 4 Street,' or any town or village said to lie upon the street, for instance, Aithwick-on- the-Street (Adwick-le- Street), by Doncaster, we may easily judge that a Roman road was at or near it." It is some confirmation of this re- mark that the known Roman Road from Calcaria (Tadcaster) to Eboracum (York) goes in part by the name of " Street-Houses." But besides the et3 7 mology of the word " Street," the very names of villages upon it, and the Roman coins, dies, and other remains, found at Lingwell-Nook, and near Black- II There is a Stump Cioss on the road from Ferrybridge to Pontefract, the Boundary-Stone between the latter Township and Ferryfryetone. Sec Eoothroyd's Fontefract, 441. Grates, Adwalton, &c, clearly sets the question at rest.** Ilere, however, be it observed, that the Roman road did not go to Wakefield, but passing along the present line to near Ardsley, it left that spot a little on the right, and took its course past Lingwell- Nook, direct to Castleford. " In this neighbourhood," says Dr. AVhit- akcr, " are other monuments of Danish times, as particularly Tingley, or more truly Tinglaw or low, as it is in the best map that ever was made for this country, by Mr. Christopher Saxton, who lived at or very near that place, which in the language of that age, imports a Danish Court of Judicature, called l Tinge,' as a most excellent guide instructs us. Thinge Comitia vel Convocatus Populi. Thinglawe applausus ille forensis cum strepitu armorum quo diurnabatur ratum et comprobatum est." I give this extract as the construction of a learned man, whose opinions, however, I am frequently compelled to dissent from, and who seems to me to have pressed into his service in this overstrained etymology a person far more conversant with the Northern languages than either of us. For my own part, I much prefer the termination " ley " in this instance, as the names of most of our neighbouring- places end thus ; and in my judgment, owe their origin to their having been the pos- sessions of Saxons or of Danes — the particular spots where they fell in battle — or the state of cultivation in which they were seen in very early periods. Tingley, however, there can be no doubt, is of high antiquity. Sec an instance of another Roman road passing over a waste called " Morley Moor," in Derbyshire. Lyson's, vol. &. p. 210. This is a very curious coincidence. ARDSLEY VERY near to, if not upon the line of the " Street," is Ardsley (Eardesley) at a distance of about a mile from Dunningley, and more than a mile from Tingley. Its Church, having been roughcasted and modernised, deceives the passenger; but whoever will take the trouble to examine its architecture, especially its porch, and the Saxon or early Norman zigzag arch concealed by it, will agree with me as to the probable former consequence of the village. There is nothing in the interior of this Church especially remarkable. The font bears date, 1GG3, and many of the seats are lettered as belonging to the Copleys, now of Doncaster. The oldest stone is for one Ellen Dymond, who died the "fift day of January, 1G53." The Procters, the Shaws, and the Nettletons, next to the Copleys, appear to have been the chief families in the Commonwealth times. The oldest houses at Ardsley are the Manor and Vicarage houses, at the opposite ex- tremities of the village. The former, once a seat of the Copleys, is now occupied by a labouring farmer, called Rollinson. It ap] i to have had formerly fine gardens, and spacious outbuildings; upon a stone jnsl under the pinnacle of the West wing, or gable end, is the date, 1022. and the Christian name of the Copley who built it—" Robart." The motto is, "In Domine confido, 1652," in another part; and the armorial bearing or crest which seems a griffin or dragon, is still perfect. It appears from a pedigree of this branch of the family preserved, among others, in MSS., in the Leeds Library, thai it came from Richard Copley, of Batley, who bore for arms, a cross moline sable, and that one Robert Copley married Ann Savile. h is known also, that Alvera Copley, of Batley, married Elizabeth, a daughter of Sir John Savile. By these intermarriages, no doubt, the property of which I write, was broughl under one ownership in the seventeenth century. The Vicarage-House of former times is near the Church. I call it a fine old mansion of the Protectorate, for by his date of 1653, it was built in that memorable year in which the ''tutelary Genius"' of England became Protector of its Commonwealth. It displays upon its front also the crest of the Savile family — the owl, and upon the ceiling of a bed chamber is a moulding, in fine relief, of a Savile, or, at least, a hunter with his spear and cup, surrounded by an ornamented circle. I have taken the precaution to get a correct drawing of this interesting house, for which the patriot, if not antiquary, of future days will thank me, and have only to observe that. except as to the porch in front, it presents a nearly similar appearance on all its four sides.* Lord Fairfax, or Sir Thomas, in one of his letters, makes mention of "a -Mr. Ileadeot, of Ardsley, a Minister of religion/' but. with all my endeavours, I have not been able to make out who he was, and whether stationed here as Vicar or not. My idea is. that the name should have been Ileathcott or Hesketh, and that he was, perchance, an ancestor of the last Minister at Lee- Fair Chapel. Ardsley was the native village of a man of whom it has no1 been thought beneath the dignity of our national histories to make men- tion; but as many things are omitted and unknown, which have fallen in my way. 1 shall present the reader with a biographical sketch of a singular character. Ami here I must be allowed a digression n\ some length for the sake of my credulous countrymen, living in an age in which old women have conceived themselves pregnant by the Holy Ghost, in which Shiloh is expected, ami the emphatic warning i^ l>y a wretched sect for- gotten. " If any man shall say unto you — Lo! here is Chrisl — or there — believe it not, for there sh;ill arise false Christs and false Prophets who shall BheW great sign< and wonders. — Behold! I have told yon before. — 'I'lir small room and landing over tin- porch \ ■ me i. in' place, and perl L.ofO. LOO Wherefore, if the} shall say unto you— Behold! he is in i le desert go not forth; — Behold! he is in the secret chamber — believe it uo1 — For as the lightning cometh out of the Bast an I shineth even unto the West, bo also shall the coming of the Sou of man I James Nayler, the subject of this memoir. was horn, as before Stated, at Ardsley. whore he Lived twenty-two years and upwards, until he married "according to the world ," as he expressed himself. He dwelt afterwards in the parish of Wakefield, till some time in the Civil War. when he served his country under various offices on the side of the Parliament, and rose to be Quarter-Master under General Lambert. In this service he continued till disabled by illness in Scotland, when he returned home. About this time he was mem- ber of an Independent Church at Horbury,* of which Christopher Marshall (heretofore mentioned as Minister of Topcliffe), was Pastor. By this Society being cast out. on charges of blasphemy and incontinence with a .Mis. Roper (a married woman), he turned Quaker. Travelling soon after to visit his quaking brethren in Cornwall, he was arrested by one Major Saunders, and committed as a vagrant ; but being- released by an order from the Council of State, he bent his course through Chewstoke, in Somersetshire, t) Bristol, and here those extraordinary scenes were contemplated which I have to relate. By way of preliminary, however, I ought to observe that notwithstanding the irregulari- ties inNayler's life, there were many things in the man, which, with low and ignorant people, exceedingly favoured his pretensions to the Messiahship. lie appeared, both as to form and Feature, the perfect likeness to Jesus Christ, according to the best descriptions. "f Hi- lace was of the oval shape — his forehead broad — his hair auburn and long 1 , and parted on the brow — his beard flowing — his eyes beaming with a benignant lustre — his nose of the Grecian or Circassian order — his figure erect and majestic — his aspect sedate — his speech sententious, deliberate, and grave, mid bis manner authoritative. In addition also bo these advantages, his studies had been devoted to Scripture history, and by some means he had caught up the ( Ini Stic heresy See mj Note in a foi m< i I '| 1,,- l„ 1 III., he. SOl \;i\ I, r IB, I I I Weill's Portrait*. There! a three-quarters painting of the Proiihel (but in whose pouei i"" i Know not) from which, ol late, , en en < ^ ii>u s j and the doelrinc of CEons ; so that, like many of the "experimental" folk (the Gnostics of our day), he could bewilder and confound others, without being" detected or abashed himself. The usual posture of Nayler was sitting in a chair, while his company of men and women knelt before him. These, it appears, were very numerous and constant for whole days together. At the commencement of the service a female stepped forth and sung, — " This is the joyful day, JJehold ! the king of righteousness is come I" Another taking him by the hand exclaimed — " Rise ii]), my love— my dove— and come away. Why sittest thou among the pots?" Then, putting- his hand upon her mouth, she sunk upon the ground before him, the auditory vociferating — " Holy, holy, holy, to the Almighty !" The procession of this lunatic and impostor (for lunatic he evidently was), especially in passing through Chepstow, was extensive and singular. Mounted on the back of a horse or mule ; — one, Woodcock, preceded him bare- headed, and on foot ; — a female, on each side of Nayler, held his bridle; — many spread garments in his way, while the ladies sung — " Ifosannah to the Son of David — blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord — Hosannah in the highest!" But this was only a portion of the incense which was offered as homage to this messiah, for the letters of the fair sex addressed to him were of the warmest and most flattering description — They called him k * Jesus" — "the Prophet of the most high " — " the King of Israel, and the Prince of peace." — It needs scarcely to be added, but the fact is, they paid him, frequently, a tribute equally acceptable to prophets, priests, and kings. I know not what sort of a prophet James Nayler was. but 1 am sure lie could not be a worse one than Richard Brothers, Johanna Southcott, and all other such pretenders as have since arisen ; — he wrought, however. according to the allegation of \)owi\^ Erbury, a capital miracle upon her; for he raised her from the dead, in Exeter Gaol, after she had I departed this life lull two days; and that is ! more than all the Towsers, .Mousers. and Oarousers of Johanna, or the Prophetess her- ; self ever did, asthey would perhaps acknow- ! ledge. It is highly probable, however, that | the miracles of James Nayler did not end here, since t<» a messiah so highly gifted as 1(11 he was, it would be much easier, and more natural, to produce a Shiloh with the concur- rence of Dorcas Erbury, than to bring- back her departed spirit to the world it left. Be this as it may, the House of Commons, in 1656, was so sceptical — so irreligious — and so insensible to the merits of this Quaker Christ, that on Wednesday, the 17th of December, in that year, after a patient in- vestigation of ten days, it was resolved, — " That James Naylor be set on the pillory, with his head in the pillory, in the Palace- yard, Westminster, during the space of two hours, on Thursday following, and should be whipped by the hangman through the streets from Westminster to the Old Exchange, London, and there likewise be set with his head in the pillory for the space of two hours, between the hours of eleven and one on Saturday after, in each place, wearing a paper containing an inscription of his crimes ; and that, at the Old Exchange, his tongue be bored through with a hot iron, and that he be there stigmatised also with the letter ' B.' in the forehead; and he be afterwards sent to Bristol, and be conveyed into and through the said city on horseback bare ridged, with his face backward, and there also publickly whipped the next market day after he comes thither; and that, from thence, he be com- mitted to prison, to Bridewell, London, and there restrained from the societ} r of all people, and there to labour hard till he be released by Parliament, and during that time to be debarred the used of pen, ink, and paper, and have no relief but what he earned by his daily labour." "This sentence was, for the most part. executed upon Nayler, when some of his followers were so infatuated as to lick his wounds — kiss his feet, and lean upon his bosom. He was, however, allowed pen, ink, and paper, and wrote several books (luting his confinement." •• When lodged in Bridewell, in order to carry on his impostures, he fasted three days, but flesh and blood being able to hold out no longer, he fell to work to earn himself some food. Upon the next change* of Govern- ment he obtained his liberty, but died soon after without any signs of repentance."' This narrative is chiefly taken from the State Trials, but a curious MS. now before me states that lie retracted his errors, wa& ' That is, when the tolerant Cromwell came into power. discharged from prison the 8th of September, 1659, and was again received by the Quaker-. who had disowned him during his extrava- gances. It further states that he set out from London the latter end of October, 1GG0. in order to return to his wife and children at Wakefield, but was taken ill on the road, some miles beyond Huntingdon, being robbed by the way and left bound, in which condition he was found in a field, by a countryman, towards evening, and carried to a friend's house, at Holme, near King's Repton, but soon expired, in November, 1660. The Topcliffe Register, under the head of " Church Members, 1655," has this remark- able entry in the margin : — " Besides Bro Elyard, Bro Legine, Bro Carver, James Nailor, Bro Bines, Bro Richardson, Sister Oxeley, Sister Hannah Cassley, Sister Easter Cassley. These de- parted from us, and some under Church censures? There is some ambiguity in the wording of this passage, but which ever way it be con- strued, I am confident that this was "Jaimes Nailor," the prophet, and thai he left Top- cliffe, as he did Horbury, under ••Church censures;" for, in the first place, he is not styled brother like the rest, having undoubt- edly at this time turned Quaker; — secondly, he had been dismissed from Horbury. or, in other words, excommunicated ; — and lastly, the Pastor of these same "Independent" Churches was Christopher Marshall. The Register at Ardsley goes do further back than 1662, and is an exceedingly defec- tive, slovenly document ; SO that, to make out anything like a pedigree of those who have descended from this "Stem of Jesse," is impossible; bui 1 have the authority of a gentleman of the name of Naylor, for saying that he is somehow related to the Xailoix of Ardsley ; and that lie is from the same Btock as the prophet there is no doubt. Be this &S it may, he is equally distinguished, as was his namesake, though in a very different way. being pre-eminenl for hi- great abilities extensive information, astonishing memory, and unostentatious demeanour. The publications <>f dames Nayler arc as follows: i-i •• \n Exhortation to the Rulers — the Preachers and Lawyers, 1658." 2nd •• Milk lor Babes and Meal for -troii-- Men — A Feasi of fat things, Wine well refined on the Loa<, &c, being the lnval liin-s of the 102 Spirit through his Servanl James Nayler, written b\ him during the confinement of his outward man in prison, London, 1GG1." 3rd " Nayler' Salutation to the Seed of God, 1656," 8vo. 4tli "An Answer to Blome's Fanatic History." The character of Nayler. when in the army, as described by the amiable and excellent Lambert, may be seen in Burton's Diary. With a discrimination and benevolence characteristic of the man, this great General addressed the House of Commons, and voted in mitigation of punishment. Cromwell also, as in the case of Biddle and others, was exceedingly averse to the severity of the sentence; but the national impression and feeling seems to have been too strong to be resisted. It must not be supposed that James Nayler was the first person who illustrated in our land the verity of our Saviour's prediction. Many " false Christs," and innumerable false Prophets had, ages before his day, appeared. As it may not be without its use, and as it will, certainly, enrich my volume to shew up a few of the former class, I shall resort to my minutes accordingly. The first false Christ of whom I have any certain account in our English history, appears to have arisen in Henry the 3rd's reign.f " There was then brought before a provincial Council at Oxford, ' a young man and two women — The young man would not go to any Church, nor be a partaker in the sacra- ments, but had suffered himself to be crucified, in whom the scars ®f all the wounds were to be seen in his hands, head, side, and feet, and he rejoiced to be called ' Jesus ' of these women and others. One of the women being- old was accused of bewitching the young man unto such madness, and also (altering her own name) procuring herself to be called 'Mary' the mother of Christ. They, being convicted of these crimes and others, were adjudged to be elosed up between two Avails of stone,J where they ended their lives in misery." The next false Christ we find in the second year of Elizabeth, when one John Moore asserted that lie was Christ, and one William Jeffrey worshipped him as such. " Divines," Burton, v - had him under consideration, and could nut convince him. hut he still stood t Store's Annals, 268. [b. 1264, Speed, | Many skrietons having been found in ancienl stone walls, I have no doubt that this horrid mode of txacution was far from uncommon in Hit- olden times. to it that he was Christ." Stowe also, on the authority of Ilollingshed, tells us, " that for this offence the latter had a paper set on I lis head whereon was written c William Gefferie, a most blasphemous heretick, deny- ing Christ our Saviour in heaven ;' and that he was whipped till he confessed Christ to be in heaven. And the said John Moore," says he, "being examined and answering over- thwartlie, was commanded to pull of his cote, doublet, and shirt, which he seemed to do very willingly, and after being* whipped an arrowshot from Bedlam, at the last he also confessed Christ to be in heaven, and himself a sinful man." The next Messiah appeared in the person of one William Hacket, in 1591 — the account of him is so ludicrous, so truly diverting, that I cannot forbear an abridgement. "The 16th daie of July in the morning, Edmond Coppinger and Henry Arthington, gentlemen, repaired to one AValker's house, near unto Broken Wharf of London, where conferring with one of their sect, named William Ilackett, of Owndale, in the County of Northampton, yeoman, the}' offered to anoint him King, but Ilackett taking Cop- pinger by the hand said, c you shall not neede to anoint mee, for I have been already anointed in heaven, by the holie Ghost him- self.' Then Coppinger asked him what his pleasure was to be done ? c Go jowy way both,' said he, ' and tell them in the city that Christ Jesus is come with his Fan in his hand to judge the Earth ; and if any man ask you where he is, sa}^, He lies at Walker's house, by Broken Wharf e ! And if the}' will not believe it, let them come and kill me if they can, for as truly as Christ Jesus is in Heaven, so truly is he come to judge the World.' " The remainder of the story, which is too long for insertion, may be found in Stowe's Annals. Suffice it here to observe, that Coppinger, "the Prophet of Mercy," and Arthington, "the Prophet of Judgment," rather more than fulfilled their mission, in preaching from a cart — that one of them was committed to the "-Counter," in Wood-Street, t he < )ther sent to Bridewell ; and that Ilackett, the great Messiah, was hanged. It is not my intention to write a Bedlam Calendar, or on the credulity of mankind, although 1 have by me the finest materials for such a work. There always have been lunatics and knaves — dupes and fools, and always will be. My propensity to mirth or 103 sarcasm would lead me also to comment on the strange modes which in sundry ages, and by all religionists, have been adopted for enlightening the mind and correcting the judgment ;* for the suppression of error, and * The arguments ef Roman Catholics have always been very " forcible " ones for this purpose. Such as compelling people to walk round Churches, nearly in a state of nudity, with faggots tied on their backs — or candles in their hands— whip- pings—fastings—or other corporal punishments, rite Gent's the propagation of truth, but I abstain. The moral to be drawn from the few preceding- pages is obvious, and the leading reflection with me (whether in reviewing the past or the present times, the opinions or the actions of others) is this — What is man when his reason forsakes him. or lie abandons it ! ! Kingstone-on-Hull, p. IS, Stowe's Annals, p. SS5— 1005, &c. Archaeol. vol. 9, p. 373, &c. TOFCLIFFE. RETEAOING our Bteps from Ardsley to Ting- ley, at the distance of half a mile, on the right, lies Topcliffe, where formerly was ;t seat of Sir John Topcliffe, Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, Master of the .Mint, and one of the great Officers of the Royal Household in the reigns of Henry the 7th and 8th : and there is some reason for believing that he lived here also under that of Richard 3rd. There is, or was some few years ago. at the principal house in Topcliffe, a very ancient bedstead in good preservation as to its backboard, on which were the effigies, a- I conjecture, of Sir John, in the costume of his various offices, with the crests of his Sovereigns, but especially of Richard 3rd — the "white boar" being conspicuous in various parts. On one of the panels a build- ing is painted, probably to represent the Mint; and on the stocks of this very bed- stead it is not unlikely that the Chief Justice breathed his last, as lie was biuied at Wood- chnrch, a mile hence, where the slab covering his ashes, and still perfect, has the following inscription : — "Orate pro Anima Johannis Topcliffe, quondam Oapitalis Justiciarii Domini Regis. Hen. vii. and viii. hem Magistri Monetae qui quidem obiit. .\ii. die Decembris Anno Domini f Dr. WMtaker Bupposes, but for what reason I know not. that his father's Christian name was Gilbert. History of Leeds, p. 217. Mcccccxiiii. cujus Animte propicietur Deus." I rather suspect that Sir John was one of the family of the Topcliffes of Billington, in the North Riding, and, of course, related to an Abbot and Vicar of Whalley, who were brothers.f His mansion seems to have been pulled down and converted into farm-houses, about the latter part of the seventeenth century, when some part of the buildings was made a Meeting-house, at which Christopher Marshall officiated. At present the dwellings with their spacious barns, all built out of the old materials, present a melancholy aspect. — Taken together with the park walls they indicate, however, the consequence of its ancient possessor. There is, under the floor of a cottage near the principal farm-house, a well of vast depth, although report says it has been half filled up, and certainly not used for above a century. Topcliffe is said to have been the residence of Christopher Saxton, the celebrated chorographer of Elizabeth's reign, who was born at Bramley, and buried at Leeds, 31st October, 1587. There have been many silver coins of Heniy 6th and 7th foimd in Topcliffe fields, most of which are in my possession. The views to the North of Top- cliffe are delightful, and its being equidistant from Leeds. Wakefield, and Dewsbury, coupled with this circumstance, accounts for its former consequence. WOODCHURCH. THERE is great reason for the belief that those places which are called by the names of Woodchurch or Woodkirk, Whitchurch or Whitkirk, had Churches upon them at a very early period. The very name of Wood Church points to Saxon times; and as to White Churches, I am of opinion with Dr. Whitaker, that they were so called at first from being built of stone in opposition, or contrast, to the more ancient Saxon Churches of Wood which had probably turned black from age, when these Stone Churches were erected. " At Woodchurch, in Morley AVapentake, near Dewsbury," says Leland, "was a Cell of Black Canons from Nostel, valued at seven- teen pounds per ami." " William, Earl of Warren, and Ralph de Insula (Delisle) and William his son," says Burton, " gave Wodechurch to Nostel Priory, by the hands of Archbishop Thurstin." Before I make mention of Woodchurch, or the Churches of Batley and Birstal, as they all belonged to St. Oswalds, at Nostel, I must (for the introduction of an interesting passage) be allowed to give a short account of this Priory.* 41 Where the Paroch Church of St. Oswalds is now newly builded," says Leland, "there was in Henry the lst's time, a House and Church of poor Heremites (Hermits) as in a woddy country, until one Radulphus Adlaver, Confessor to Henry 1st, began the new Monastery of Chanons, and was the first Prior of it himself. The building of this house is exceeding great and fair, and hath the goodliest Fountain of Conduit water in that quarter of England. Secundus, Prior a postremo (the last Prior but two) fetched I his Conduit a mile and above off, and builded an exceeding fair kitchen also in the Monastery." John Ulolme by his Will, proved in 14G2, ordered his corpse to be buried here in our Lady's Quire. Robert Savel, by his Testament, proved in 1626, was burled here. Nicholas reck, of Topcliffe, by Will, proved in 1690, ordered his body "to be buried beside the Quire." Bee I'.urton's MonasUcon, p, ai3, where other particulars may be found. But Burton's narrative most concerns our history. " The place in which this Priory is founded," says he, '* is said to have been very woody and full of game of all kinds; and having been chosen, for its retiredness, by a few Hermits, they built themselves a little Hut, and an Oratory or Church. " It happened that King Henry 1st, going on an expedition against the Scots, was attended by one Ralph Adlave, his Chaplain and Confessor, who falling sick was obliged to be left at Pontefract ; but, growing better, was induced, for the speedier recovery of his health, and perhaps by inclination for hunt- ing, frequently to ride from thence to this part of the country about three miles distant, where he found some Hermits, and being struck with their pious manner of living.! became desirous to be one of their society ; but, as that could not be without the King his master's consent, he was obliged to defer his intention to his Majesty's return, and then communicating his desire, the King approved of it. M Ralph, then set about to found a Priory here, and took upon him the habit and order of St. Austin, and, by the King's mandate, became the fust governor, master, and rector of the old place, and of eleven Brethren or Monks, the King himself becoming a bene- factor by granting them duodecim denarioa per day, to be received out of his revenues at. York, and several of his Nobility followed his example, particularly Robert de Lacy, in whose fee (the Honour of Pontefract) this place was situated, who granted them the wood in which it was built, with two oxgangs of land in Hard wick; for which reason the Lacy's family always looked upon themselves and were deemed as founders. Yet, succeed- ing Canons, when they became powerful and rich, would have gladly assumed the honour of being a royal foundation, because of the 1 Then Is ft tradition I and victualled .>t the Monastic Cell of Woodchurch, which no1 unliki ' i provislou consistent with the of the middl . '. i . vt it iu Nichols's Leicestershire, vol 8, part I, p. Zi t, 106 above benefactions of Henry 1st. Ralph died in L128. "Savordus, third Prior, elected in L153, was Bcarce settled in his new office. when Henry Lacy, Karl of Lincoln and Baron of Pontefract, began to dispute his right to that place whereon they were building the Priory, being about half a carrucate of land near the pool of Nostel, of the fee of the said Henry; but when he was about to go to the Holy War,} he relinquished all claim thereto for himself and his heirs for ever, which were confirmed to them by Pope Adrian 4th, in L155. *• William de Bristal was Prior of Nostel iii L291.§ He greatly emiched the Priory — increased the number of Canons, and made considerable additions to the buildings. lie built an Oratory to the Virgin Mary, and had the Table of the Passion of Christ at the Great Altar done by one Osbert, having appropriated the Church of Birstal after the resignation of William de Pickering, the Hector. "In 1312, this William of Birstal was succeeded by Henry de Abberford, who, being a man of too mild a disposition for his office, was drawn into many expenses, and let things run to ruin, especially in the parish of Baumberg ; nevertheless, he began to erect a Choir, to be join to the Church, and left the care of it to Robert de Pontefract who, through envy, ran the expenses of it to a very extravagant height, in order to have the work stopped. And upon the visitation of the Prioiy, this Henry was accused of simony and wasting its substance; but acquitting himself of the first charge, he proved that the incursions of the Scots destroyed the profits of Baumberg, whence a great part of their support arose, and that the Cannons likewise suffered losses at Burstal, the Scots army remaining fifteen days at that place, Bateley, Morlcy, and Rothwell ; insomuch that, in that year, wheat sold at 2()s. per quarter, and that he had bought two hundred quarters. — He also proved that on the quarrel betwixt the Kin-- and I lie Duke of Lancaster, the latter flying, the former pursued with his army, and <»nc Robert, called Aquarius. || entered and ; This may show by what means the Catholic Church acquired immense property in early times. ? 1Mb is the lirst mention of Birstal which I recollect. ! This is, unquestionably, a misprint for Ejquariua a servant of the Royal Household, as appears from Domesday, in very early times. The " Equariua " was the King's horse breaker, and, perhaps, farrier; and from him lias descended to the present (lay the ofticc of MastcrofthelIor.se. This Hubert teeuis aL>o to have Lecii a Uoise soldier by bis seizure plundered the Prioiy, and took away all their horses ; to which such a murrain succeeded that they had not oxen and cows to plow with ; — the Prior was reduced to such a strait as to sell his corrody, and to stand bound with the Priory for £500, hoping afterwards to be able to discharge the debt; but the war continuing, and the Prior wearied out with complaints, resigned, after presiding- fifteen years, and retired to the Cell, at Wodekirk, having a pension of ten marks per annum, where he died in nine months after the 3rd of June, 1329, and was buried at Nostel." Hav referred to this extract, as it respects Morley in a former page, and having here copied it for the relation it has to other villages, I would remark that AVoodkirk, though but a Cell to Nostel Priory, was yet of considerable extent, as is proved by the foundations of it extending over the gardens and Parsonage premises there. It was sup- plied with excellent water by leaden pipes from the North West side,* and which have been discovered of late years extending from the road into these premises. I have in my possession a long piece of it, and by its having been soldered in the seam, not cast, as pipes have been since Henry 8th' s reign, I am assured it had been laid much before that time. In the valley beloAv the Church are still traces of the Friars' fish ponds. The nave and chancel of this Church appear to me to be much older than those of Batley and Birstal, but not so the tower, which is, comparatively, modern. The interior, till of late, discovered great marks of antiquity, but nearly all the fine old carved oak, in seat ornaments or screen work, has lately been destroyed (as I hear) by cart loads together, f Upon these I have seen the letters I. II. C, roses, and other various devices not inelegantly wrought. There is still the word " Maria "} faintly visible in the porch ; but, excepting this, and the stone for Sir John Topcliffe, and a marble tablet for one Christopher Hodgson, hereafter to be noticed, there is scarce one other thing remarkable. It may, however, be just noted that there is here a of the horses for the royal use. No doubt he was a good purveyor, or, as we call it at Morley, " Purviller." There is near Mr. Wordsworth's farm, at Stump Cross, field and well in it, called Conduit, or " Cundy," " Field, and " Well," which has certainly supplied either Howley Hal or Woodkirk Monastery with water, but I guess the latter. t Verifying the old Adage that " Church work is a crij.l ) in going up, but rides post in coming down.", | The Church was dedicated to St. Mary. See Burton, 'M\i, but according to Speed, " To the Holy Trinity." — See 82Q* This, piobubjy, was its last dedication. 10* tablet for John Ayre de Howley, who died June 21st, 1706, aged GG. In all the Burial-ground at Woodchurch, there is not one single lettered stone worthy of record, either for antiquity or otherwise. The epitaphs are wretched, both as respecting poetry, orthography, and taste. They do no honour to the memory of the departed, but cast a reproach upon those who put them up, and those who encourage them. This is rather remarkable, as Woodkirk even, has not been without its Poet, of whom I shall write hereafter. There is, however, one very curious stone unlettered and of great age. It has, no doubt, once laid within the Church, and covered the grave of a Monk, although there is a very different tradition respecting it. The name it has borne for many generations is that of " Fryingpan Stone," — partly from the sup- posed representation thereon of a fryingpan, and partly from the following story : — One of the Soothills, of Soothill, near this place, being on some account or other, enraged at a boy, threw him into a furnace, or boiling chaldron. § To ease his conscience perhaps, but more probably to expiate his crime, he gave to the Church or Religious- house here, some grounds, which bear the name of furnace or fryingpan|| fields. This mode of propitiating the civil as well as ecclesiastical powerf is, at least, of as high antiquity as the Saxon times, and many instances thereof might be adduced, but there is one which has a curious bearing upon this case, that I cannot refrain from inserting it. In a small Chapel, which adjoined the Parish Church of Eastry, in Kent, was a tomb which, by ancient tradition, was said to con- tain the ashes of Ethel bert or Etheldred (brothers of Egbert, who reigned in 665,) who were murdered by one " Thunner." To expiate this murder the whole hundred, now called Eastry hundred, was given to the Church by Egelred in ( .)7 ( .), and for a purpose to which I would particularly call the atten- tion of my reader, i. o.—for the support of the Monks' kitchen. Now the figure of a frying- pan at Woodchurch, and the traditionary appellation, "Fryingpan Fields," connected § Dr. Whltaker says it was Sir Thomas Soothill who throw a boy into a forge dam. II This may l>u a mistake, perhaps.- The fields, I believe, are called " Bellatringa." See hereafter. ' 'J It is very surprising, but I And the punishment of murder commuted for a pecuniary forfeiture, so late as even Henry $th's reign. See Pennant's Lpndon, p with the story of Lord Soothill or Southwell (for so the name was originally), strongly would incline one to suspect the stone in question; and yet when I call to mind how frequently the most ancient Crosses appear on gravestones, somewhat resembling the frying- pan, the weight of evidence, with me, preponderates the other way.** Although it is said that Reginald Lord Soothill gave a bell to Woodkirk, on account of the murder, yet all the present bells, of which there are three, are comparatively, modern. The ancient and curious custom of tolling the passing-bell is still kept up here, as also at Batley, and perhaps Birstal ; and by the number of strokes, one, two or three at each interval, it may be known whether the deceased be a child, a woman, or man. The remarkable custom of this and the neighbouring places of doing penance ff lor fornication is now quite disused; but such sights were not unfrequent in our Churches during the middle part of the last century, and there are persons still living who have seen the white sheet more than once at Woodchurch. I could name the persons, and have seen one of them, who were thus ex- hibited to the congregation here, and I could relate some ludicrous stories upon the subject. Suffice it here to observe that excommunica- tions and penances were considered in a very different light only sixty years ago from what they would be now. Woodchurch, as I observed before, has been the residence of a Poet; but, as he seems never to have drunk deep at the springs of Helicon, and had less of the inspiration than the itch for poetry, it is no great misfortune that none of his effusions remain. His name was John Jackson, better known as "Old Trash," which was h lick- name. He lived at a house oear on the site of the present Inn, at Woodchurch, and taught a, school at Lee-Fair. He was a good mechanic, a stone cutter — land measurer, and I know not what besides; but very slovenly in his person, and had a head through the hair of which, it was thought, a comb did uol as often pass as once a year. This gave rise to a distich from his scholars, which, being [am no* it! led that this curious stone baa been laid over :ui ESccleaiaatlc, or uaed for the purpose <>f n Church yard ii See Gentleman'a afagasine for 1-1-. p it. but i especially Gough or Weevers Fun] Bion The lacl penance mi done bj one Joseph Hague, abonf the jreai 1780 At ome of ourChurchea there have been later Instances, 108 levelled at his poetical talents, annoyed him do1 a little. — "Old Trash Deserves a lash I'pon his 15 ks bare, For teaching School, And playing the Fool. And .Never Combing his hair." Jackson wrote a poem upon Harrogate ;* l»in his mechanical abilities were his chief excellency. He constructed a clock, and in order to make it useful to the clothiers who attended Leeds market from Earls and Ilang- ing-IIeaton, Dcwsbury, Chickenley, &c, he kept a lamp suspended near the face of it, and burning through the winter nights, and he would have no shutters or curtains to liis window, so that the clothiers had only to stop and look through it to know the time. Now in this our age of luxury and refinement the accommodation thus presented by u Old Trash" may seem insignificant and foolish, but I can assure the reader that it was not. The clothiers of the early part of last century were obliged to be upon the Bridge of Leeds, where the market was held, by about six o'clock in summer, and seven in winter ; and hither they were convened by a bell anciently pertaining to a Chantry Chapel, which once was annexed to Leeds Bridge. — They did not all ride, but most of them went on foot. — They did not all carry watches, for very few of them had ever possessed such a valuable. — They did not dine on fish, flesh, and fowl, with wine, &c, as some do now. No ! no ! The careful housewife wrapped up a bit of oat cake and cheese in the little chequed handkerchief, and charged her husband to mind and not get above a pint of ale at "the Rodney." Would Jackson's clock then be of no use to men who had few such in their villages? Who seldom saw a watch, but took much of their intelligence from the note of the cuckoo? Jackson must, I think, have lived here in the latter part of 1lio seventeenth century.f At all events he cut the stone in Howley Park, which bears date L684, and com- memorates (lie oven! of Novison, the high- wayman, killing Fletcher upon that spot. The only other inhabitant of Woodchurch to be noticed is Mary Gomersal, commonly, and for a long time, called "Old Ninety," although she attained I" the great age of one hundred and ten years. ■• o Harrogate, Harrogate, how weal la thy fame I in Summer thou art proud, but in Winter Mum ait tame." ♦ in- wa burled L0th of May, L704. Woodkirk Krister. So that l am mistaken aa to u few yeai The value of this living, J considerably enhanced by the allotment under the West- A rdsley Inclosure Act, now amounts to above £200 per annum. West-Ardsley, I believe, to something more than this. The Rev. John Hepworth is the present Incumbent. ADDITIONS TO WOODCIIURCII. My last survey of Woodchurch convinces me that I have been deceived as to its antiquity on a former inspection, and I now consider it may be referred to a period much more remote than Batley or Birstal Churches, especially in regard to its chancel. This part of the structure is extremely well worth the visits of the antiquary ; upon whom, the thickness of its walls and the bays of its windows will not be lost. But that which strikes me the most forcibly is the original stalls or seats within it, which, I cannot help thinking, are older than Henry the 8th' s reign, and w T ere the Sellse of the Canons ; for the admission of the Laity into their "Holy of Holies," is, com- paratively, of recent date.§ Not far from these, and clustered together as we ever find them, either within, or near the entrance of the chancel, are the seats of the chief families, once residing in the vicinity, and still called the " Howley-IIall," the "Top- cliffe," the " Westerton," and the u IIaigh- Hall Seats." The mention of these prompts me to give the inquisitive reader some choice and little known particulars relating to our ancient edifices. To men of high rank, and to patrons of livings only, was there formerly the indulgence of having fixed seats in a Church ; for the parishioners would often dispute about seats, two or more often contending for the same sitting. To stop a practice so scandalous, and that frequently occasioned an interruption of divine service, it was decreed in a Synod of the diocese of Exeter in 1284 that, with an exception to noble persons and to patrons, no one should in future claim any seat, but that t The yearly value of Woodkirk, before the dissolution of the Monasteries, appears to have been £128 5s. 3}d., or about £1/282 12s. lo.jd. of our money now. Speed, p. 82G. No doubt at the dissolution it was (in common with all similar foundations) much undervalued by Henry the Sth and his minions. Their motives are very obvious. § This exclusion of the Laity by the Canon, is thus curiously expressed In an old verse, which marks the character of Popery :— " Cancello Laioos prohibet Scriptura sedere Ne sibi presumant Christi secreta Videre." ! ! ! This is all of a piece with the true blood at Hailes Owen, the Virgin's Milk at Walsingham, the Image of Darvel Oatheren, or the Image of the Virgin at Worcester ; which, when unfrocked, was found to be that of. a Catholic Bishop ! ! ! 109 whoever first entered any Church, for the purpose of devotion, might choose at his pleasure " a place for prayer.' ? j| That such contentions arose even so late as 1G25, appears by a letter of Bishop Buckeridge, of Rochester, which gives some insight into other curious particulars. The Bishop, in a letter to the Mayor of Rochester, the Vicar, and Churchwardens of St. Nicholas, says (inter alia.) " I know there are certain Knights and Ladies and others inhabitinge in other neigh- bouring parishes who, out of devotion to the preaching of the gospel, resort to your Church, who cannot claim any right of seats therein ; yet I hold it fit that when they doe come they should have places answerable to their rank and quality. For myne owne p'ticular opinion, I doe not think it fit that men and women should be placed in the same seats ; neither that women should be allowed to sit in the Chauncell which was instituted for Clarices. If you think good you may disposes of such Knights in the seats in the Quier. An it had been fit (for the avoiding all contencou about higher roomes in such publique assemblies) you had reserved two of the principal and highest pews on one side of the Church, where such Ladies and others who are strangers, might sett." By Constitutions of the fourth, ninth, and tenth centuries it was ordered that "when the Priest sings Mass no woman be nigh the Altar, but they st.ind in their own place, and that the Mass Priest receive of them what they are willing to offer." The exclusion of women from the Chancel continued 'till some time after the Reformation — probably 'till the reign of James the 1st. " The morning after Sir Thomas More resigned the Great Seal, he went to Chelsea Church with his wife and family ; where, during divine service, he sal, as usual, in Ike Quier, wearing a Surplice." So much for the line Choir and Stalls of the Black Monks at Woodchurch. The Howley- Ilall pew is the only one within this Chancel. The Porch with its seats is very old. The words u Sancta Maria" are nearly gone. There is an ancient well of beautiful water below the Burial ground, which still bears the name of the wv Lady's Well." Just before the Torch is still remaining the base of an ancient Cross with the socket for II Archaol. vol. 12, p. 101. Vol. 11, p. 388. a shaft. The Fryingpan Stone has not belonged to it, but is a gravestone. The Register begins with the interesting year 1G52, and continues throughout the Protectorate; and it is worth remarking that the marriages, baptisms, and burials extend throughout that peaceful and tolerant period — a matter not to be regarded as strange, however, by those who know that in many Churches the service of the Church was per- formed as usual at the same time. I hiring the "Oliver days," as was before related, Christopher Marshall was pastor here. He appears to have been succeeded by one Anthony Cooper — a " black Canon"* I have no doubt, for under date of 1GG2 I find, with his signature, the following note upon the preceding entries of the Register : — "All these I found confusedly registered by Isaac Serjeant, sworn register /'// diebus Olweri sancti Tijranni, and have digested them into this method." This entry will cause me to look into the history of Anthony Cooper if any record of him remains, which, alas! I fear, has never existed; and in the absence of such informa- tion I shall conclude that he was probably one of the many who. in Oliver's time, were properly ejected, not for conscience-sake, but as "ignorant, scandalous, and insufficient*' — able to do little more than mumble a few printed prayers and homilies; and whose line loyalty was but a mere step-ladder to their Church preferment. It appears from the Register, that Chris- topher Marshall was twice married, and had a numerous family. Two of his daughters were called by the names of Bathshua and Bethia. Generally, Old Testamel names wore preferred about this period, and there were few or no double Christian names in use — amongst the Commonwealth's men. at least. Queen Elizabeth (if my memory serves me) introduced the fashion alluded to a fashion which the Puritans were disinclined to follow, probably from its inconvenience — from their little respect for the character of that Queen, and their high reverence for holy writ. Ar all events, their remarkably partiality for those sweel and venerable names Joshua and Samuel, displays their good taste, if qoI Bense. Wodeklrke, aaaCeUof Black Canona, waa founded in the reign of Henrj I I See Barton, p 66. "William. Earl of Warren, granted to God and the Church of Bl Uarr, at Wodechurch, and the Canona there serving God, the land wherein the Chun 1, and ail the wood running by Belda Bridge and LiduU Bridge, aaal i tlQt Od . of Ma rent of Brde Ian Burton, p i 110 In this Register, under date of 1G85, is recorded the marriage of M Pastor" Elston, nun .Merry Pickering, whose father, Captain John Pickering, it appears, died in 1099. Since writing my account of this Church, I find, upon Looking over that of Dr. Whitaker, that those scuts in the Chancel-, which I deem a remarkable curiosity, and an evidence that the Church was "Conventual" as well as " Parochial," he regarded as, comparatively with the Chancel, modern. I wish Dr. Whitaker had been so kind as to have told the public for whom, or what class of per- sons, he thought them constructed, because I should have caught him there, as any person will perceive who has read to good purpose 'what is heretofore stated. f But it is the custom with many people to fly off like a tangent when they come in contact with an obstacle, and to get over it by round and bold assertions, instead of grappling with it, and by calling forth and applying their anti- t I beg the reader will also call to mind how long after Henry 8th's time Catholic usages continued in this country : and then try to believe, if he can, that the seats in the Chancel at Woodchurch are not older than the beginning of the seven- teenth century. quarian knowledge to elucidate a subject of particular interest. I have lately discovered that there is a field, direct east of the Chancel at Wood- church, formerly consisting of two closes, and called " Bellstrings." This, no doubt, was the ground presented by Sir Thomas Soothill for the support of the bell which he gave to the Church, as before- mentioned. The field adjoining it, on the south side, is called " Baker's Royd" or rood, probably from a cross having stood thereon. And next to this field is another called " Fair- steads," on which the fair was held, until one Isaac Whitaker, the tenant, contrived to throw it out upon the green, where it is now held. This is a curious matter, as it serves to show how the wake or tide has got removed, by little and little, from the Church to Lee-Fair Green. Sixty or seventy years ago, however, the grand mart for fruit, onions, &c, was held on " Fairsteads," and multitudes came from towards Iiuddersfield to purchase these articles, which then were stowed in barns, and sold at booths by lamp light in the morning. BATLEY From Woodkirk we must now pass on to Batley, whose Church, of about Henry the 6th's reign, according to Dr. Whitaker, has a fine embattled tower of the same kind as Birstal, Guiseley, and many others. " Church Towers," says Fosbroke, " were the parochial " fortresses.''^ Sir Richard Colt Iloare, Hutchinson, and Whitaker, men- tion instances of parishioners resorting 1 to them in times of danger, and their being fitted up with fire places. These machiolated, projecting battlements, indeed, seem evi- dently designed for purposes of defence during an age in which gunpowder and cannon were little known, and the science of engineering not at all. To me it seems probable that those who designed them were not unac- quainted with the sweet effusions of the psalmist — " I will love thee, Lord — my strength ! The Lord is my Rock — my For- tress, and my Deliverer. My God — my strength — in whom I trust — my Buckler — the Horn of my Salvation — and my high Tower." This Church of Batley has three bells. The one to the west has upon it — " Richard Mann, churchwarden, 1G84 — In altissimis Deo gloria." The oldest or centre bell, has 4i Thomas Deighton, G. 0. 1658." The third has " Dalton, of York, fecit 1791 — Eternal Glory raise to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." The font bears date 1GG2. " Robert do Lacy, the founder of the ancient Church here, gave the advowson of it to the Priory at Nostel, which was con- firmed by Hugh de la Val, King Henry 1st and 2nd, and Pope Alexander 3rd. In 1253, "Walter Grey, Archbishop of York, with the consent of the Prior and Convent of St. Oswalds, thus ordained and taxed the Vicar- age; : namely, That the Vicar for the time being should have, in the name of the Vicai - 1 See vol. 1, p. 108. We often perceive the porches of our oldest Churches having chambers over them- in these were fire-places: and here, prior to the Reformation, were kept images, crucifixes, vestments, books of office, communion plate, and vurious writings ; besides, bows, arrows, linlbcrts. firelocks, kc. See Clarkson's Richmond, 882 the Life of Popo Adrian 4th- and a singular Anecdote in Snted, p. 886, Evelyn 'a Memoirs, p. & or 5, Uq. age, all the profits of the altarage of the Church, and the tithes of corn of Hall-Croft,* Scalecroft, Hoveloe, and Finesden, with the tithe of hay of the whole parish ; and should have a competent mansion provided for him by the said prior Prior and Convent, in which respect the Vicar shall serve the Church pro- fitably and honestly, and shall sustain all episcopal and archidiaconal burdens due and accustomary." The places here mentioned, 1 take to be* Havercroft, Scholecroft, Howley, and the closes near Howley-Park, called the " Great'' and " Little Finsdill." The oldest stone in the Church-yard with letters, is that east of the porch, on which i^ engraved : — u In memoriam omnium Joluumium de Deighton, de Woodhousham, in Batley, quorum Exuviae, spe resurrect ion is, in pulvere juxta requiescunt." Below this and under three crosses, with some animal in the centre, we find — " Johannis I lidecimus successivse Oxon posuit, 1642." And again below — " Here also was buried the body of Nathaniel Booth, of the said AVoodhousham, the 27th day of September, 1674." One of these John Deightons was ap- pointed a Trustee of Batley School, together with Sir John Savile, Edward Copley, Mai - maduke Elande, and others, by the will of the founder, William Lee, of Stapleford, in the County of Cambridge, clerk, in If. II. The family, I understand, were great iron- founders, and accumulated wealth sufficient to afford 1 lie eleventh John even a college education, after which lie lefl the kingdom (on account of the troubles probably) and died abroad. Before the woollen trade herea- bouts became prevalent (it may jusl be uoted by the way) the iron trade was carried on t" a great extent nearly all around us; hut the business of straw-hat making occupied many * Hall-Croft WM, BO doubt, the ipotwhen N(\i-"H killed 1-ktrlier, and called mi ftoin the ancient Hall OT family Beat of the Mirflelds. In like inanm r. and for UM Mine D the land on which Atlicltan s Palace stood, at 1'oiltcfrai.t, was, in aftertiuii*, culled " Hall -Croft. ' 112 people in our villages — Morley, Churwell, and Beeston, especially. The foundrymen who worked For Deighton lived, mostly, at Healey. There arc Beveral places in Yorkshire called Woodhouseham,t but that which is here mentioned is now Staincliffe, the birth-place also of the Lee family. It is vexatious that we know so little of this benefactor to Batley, and still more so as to the Deightons. Who would have believed that all the eleven Johns would have left us nothing but their name? and thai Thomas Deighton should only be mentioned as having given a bell to the Church during the Protectorate? But the once celebrated family of Copley have been still more stingy, for they have even refused the name to their Sarcophagus.J On the south side of the Church is a tomb for Thomas Leigh, of Batley, who died 3rd December, 1 653 ; under which " John Greene, sonne of John Greene of Liversedge, and who died the day only next before him," is also interred. Prom the recitals in. Batley School Foundation Deed, I infer that this Thomas Leigh or Lee was brother to the founder. Adjacent to this tomb lies " Elliner," Avife of Edward Birtby, of Scholecroft (the first name in our Morley Trust Deed) and which Eleanor died the 15th of June, 1674. At the East end of the Church, and near the East window, is the tomb of Samuel Greatheed, of Gildersome, a son of the Major, and who died July 9th, 1721, a3t 77. Also, of his sister Susannah, who died 21st of October, 1741, aged 89. Also, of Alice, another sister, and wife of Mr. John Smith, of Gildersome, who died the 17th of December, at. b'7 ; and lastly, of his niece Hannah, daughter of Nehemiah Wood, of Gildersome, who died Nov. 21th, 1761, »t. 58. But the stone most deserving of notice of any other lies now near the little gate on the South sideofthe Church-yard. It represents the full-length figure of a man with a, sword by his side, his hands elapsed upon his breast, and his head resting on a pillow ; but so much is it, defaced by I lie injuries of time and 1 As the etymology of this word is curious, and known to w, I will give it " Wbodwose" was a wild man or a I outlaw. Sic Axchieol. vol. 21, p. •_'.">■> (!)<• meaning of Woodwoseham or Woodhouseham Lb, therefore, evident. I cannol accede to the common etymologj . becau «■ at the time when these villages took their name, every bamlel in tin: kiriK'i"!" was a hamlet of Woodhouses but not of Woodwosea p gipsies.) ! 04 inference U, that very few of the Copleys arc Interred here . weather (besides having never had so much as a letter cut upon it) that it is not easy to decide what was the profession of the person here represented — civil, military, or eccle- siastical. The tradition of Batley respecting the person in question, as communicated to me by my friend the Rev. Matthew Sedgwick and others is, that he was a schoolmaster here of uncommon severity, and who, on that account, w T as killed by his own scholars with his own sword. This story I take to be, like most tradition- ary tales, made up of error, with a strong seasoning of truth. That this person was the schoolmaster here I have no doubt, — and that he commonly wore a sword, and always a dagger, I have no doubt ; for the Ecclesi- astics of the early and middle ages were often military men,* and the dagger was worn by them even in Elizabeth's reign. But the Ecclesiastics, or rather the Priests, were not only military men but schoolmasters, and the only schoolmasters too, down to a late period. Independant, indeed, of the fact that they monopolized nearly all the science and learn- ing of the dark ages — that they w T ere States- men, Chancellors, Civilians, Architects, and Historians ; (and, of course, the best qualified for the work of education) it would ill have suited the craft and policy of the Romish Church to have allowed the exercise of this important trust to laymen. This man in stone, therefore, I am well assured, w T as a Priest, a Vicar of the Church, and the School- master at Batley; and that his gravestone, once in the chancel, has been thrown out,f upon the rebuilding of the Church in Henry the Gtli or 8th' s reign. I do not need to be informed that the crosier, the paten, chalice, book, and other devices, more commonly denote the grave or coffin-stone of a Priest, than does the sword ; but this emblem of an office formerly sus- tained by a deceased person of the sacerdotal order, 1 have more than once seen upon stones of which there is no doubt. Common observers, however, w 7 ill naturally be deceived by the representation of a sword, and being little conversant with history, our funeral 1 In the early and middle apes, it was not unusual for Ecclesiastics to fight in national broils. Stowe, 703. Archteol. \. L2, p. 218 808. Stowe, p. 829, &c. Dr. Whitaker says he has seen several instances of a book and sword combined upon their gravestones, See History of Richmondshire, vol. -J, p. 240, 2(53, 2\H. These stones were within the altar rails. t See Gent. 'B Mag. 1S0S, p. S7S. More of this when I come to Birstal. 113 monuments, and other antiquities, will think it quite incompatible with the profession of a Minister of the Gospel •' of peace." J From what I have read in the Archaeologia, vol. 2, p. 291, I incline to think that this stone has been cut since 1355. Those who wish to pursue the subject, may find some- thing in Nichol's Leicestershire, vol. 2, part 1st, pages 21 and 164 ; or in various parts of the Gentleman's Magazine, § or in Whitaker's lvichmondshire, vol. 2nd, p, 211. In one of the aisles of Batley Church, is a stone for Mr. John Wyther, of "Maurley," who died January 30th, 1695. Of this gen- tleman, who was an attorney, I made men- tion heretofore. Another inscription in the same aisle in- forms us that Ames Pearson, late schoolmaster of Batley, died the 13th of April, 1710 ; and again we are told that Anthony Foxcroft, of Purlewell, died the 7th of April, 1671, " having had, hj Anne his ivife, one son and seven daughters." Now one often hears of k - women wearing the breeches" at this day, but certainly not in this sense of the expres- sion. At all events, the epitaph on this pro- lific gentleman is better fitted to excite a smile than a tear. In the South aisle is a slab for Thomas Lofte, clarke to Edward Copley, of Batley, Esq., who died the 16th of February, 1674. This Edward was he who collected the Hearth Tax with Major Greatheed and William Batt, Esq. It appears probable that he was a Magistrate, or connected with the law in some way or other, lie survived his clerk about two years. As to the tomb of the great Lord Savile, as no translation of his epitaph that I know of is published, the following, hastily taken, is subjoined : — "Here is deposited the body of the most honourable -John Lord Savilo, of Howley, (son and heir of the magnanimous and justly celebrated hero, Robert^ Savilo. Knight of the Bath) who first married Catherine, daughter of the most illustrious Charles Baron Willoughby, of fCnaith and Parham, and Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the most noble I "Think not that lain conic to send Pedce on Earth, I came not to send Peace, but a Sword." Mysterious, ami im comprehensible Providence I I I how strangely, and truly, has the prediction been fulfilled ! f See Gent. 'a Mag. 1808, p. 878. More of this when I conic to Bintal. "i The old Register of Batley commencing In L669, informs us that Sir Robert Savile, of Howley, was burled there, May the 10th, IOSj. Edward Gary, Knight of the Bath, and Mas- ter of the Jewel House to Queen Elizabeth ; and next married Catherine, relict of Lord Pagett, who was sister to Henry Viscount Falkland — a faithful Counsellor of Kings James and Charles, aud six years Lord Lieutenant of the Kingdom of Ireland. By these wives he became allied to the greatest families in England, and was happy in a numerous offspring. After he had, for many years, effectually preserved the peace of the West-Riding of Yorkshire, being ap- pointed Oustos Rotulornm (Keeper of the Rolls) and High Steward of the Barony of Pontefract, Wakefield, and Bradford, six times Member of Parliament for the County, and once having his son Thomas, now Viscount Savile, joined with him in this arduous and honourable situation. His prudence, felicity, and dignity being at length fully known, the most powerful Prince Charles the 1st created him Baron of Pontefract, and give him the command of the Castle there, with the title and dignity of Constable — appointed him .Master of the Rolls, and one of the Privy Counsellors. Being advanced in years when these dignities were conferred, and almost heaped upon him, he left earthly honours for those of heaven, the last day of August, 1G30, in the 71th year of his age." " What sacred Ashes this sad Tomb contains ! " In this low Grave what glorious remains ! " His Deeds and Fame could once our World surprise, '' Now— in a Narrow Cell— lo ! here he lies. " Here lies entomb'd a Peer of great renown, " A Spirit None but Death could ee'r bring down— " The Title shows his Name his Name is Glory, " itead but Old John Lord Savile— 'tis a Story. " I heat Pompey once, with one step on the ground, " Vaunted he could command all Latlum round " I low 1'ar this name commanded and made room, " Old York will witness to the Age to come. " Then rest, great Savile, since thy Seene is done, " In death resign- which living wouldst to none, " Mere rest— thou hast been glorious in thy days— " There can no more be said of 089881*8 praise." " This stone was laid by Ann Leigh daughter of the above deceased, John Lord Savile — done according to his directons and appointment." Dr. Whitakor. referring lo Ibis inseripton, calls it, very properly, a M Vaunting Epitaph." [t is not quite clear who composed it. hut if his Lordship was concerned therein, it shows him to have been (what most of such aristo- crats were before thedaysof the Common- wealth) a proud, conceited, self-sufficient egotisl ; and it proves that with all his pro- fessions of seriousness, he was utterly devoid <»!' that humility which is the first fruit of 1 Religion, and lies at the very basis of piety, 114 My hopes are, thai tlio tomb only was erected " according to his directions and appointment." In the Bast window of the Church, in -rained glass, is a picture of the Crucifixion, with the mother of Christ below tbo Cross, and on each side is a human figure, — one of Henry 8th, as 1 believe,* the other of Eliza- beth, which causes me to suspect that the chancel, if not the nave, was built afresh in the former reign, especially as this was in the second grand rera of Church building'. On each side again of these figures are coats of arms, on one of which, in very ancient characters, I can distinctly trace the word "Murfeld" — the other, unquestionably be- longs to the Saviles or Copleys. But the lions argent of the Mirfields are conspicuous enough in the cemetery of the Saviles. Near the doorway at the North entrance is still remaining, and I hope will long remain, though now useless, the ancient poor's box,f secured formerly by lock and by padlock and staple; having its lid on the underside strengthened with an iron plate. The sight of such a relic, calling to mind the ancient " It was, if I recollect right, very common in the middle ages to put our Kings and Queens, in the dress of the times, on painted glass ; one on each side the Crucifixion. I have an authority for this somewhere, but cannot find it. In this instance, the hat of Harry 8th being faded and gone, one is puzzled to make out the person intended. Church Ales and other benevolent or convi- vial usages For supporting the poor and re- pairing and decorating the place of worship, is apt to excite certain doubts if not regrets.! When we think indeed on the despotism and devastation, the robbery and plunder, the executions and the tortures, the pauperism and poor laws, the disunion and wretchedness, consequent upon what is called " the Refor- mation," and how much our country has suffered thereby in regard to literature, its antiquities, and Foreign connections, it is impossible to believe that it could have fallen upon a worse period than when it happened. The living of Batley was sequestered in 16 GO, when the Rev. Thomas Small wood was turned out. lie had been army Chaplain to Lord Fairfax, and afterwards to General Lambert. He afterwards preached in Idle Chapel. Upon the passing of the Five Mile Act he removed to Flanshaw-IIall, near Wakefield, where he died, November 24th, 1GG7, aged GO. The name of this gentleman occurs more than once in the Topcliffe Register, where he seems to have worshipped with the Congregationalists. He was a Cheshire man, and educated at Oxford. t See a fine plate of poor boxes in Hone's Table Talk, vol 1, p. 747. t The poor were formerly relieved by what was raised by means of parish plays, ales, and offerings at Church. HOWLEY HALL. AS IT WAS. AS IT IS. HOWLEY u In this Township," (i.e. Morley) says Dr. Whitaker, " is Ilowley (the Field on the Hill), which for several generations was the magnificent seat of an illegitimate branch of the Saviles, though by address, and Court favour, they outstript the heads of the family, for a time, in honour. It was built upon a fine commanding situation, by Sir John Savile, afterwards Baron of Pontefract, and finished in the year 1590,§ but received con- siderable additions from his son, the first Earl of Sussex of that name. Camden, who saw the house when new, calls it ' (Edes ele- gantissimus.' At this time the more ancient mansion of the Mirfields, situate about two hundred yards to the North- West, was aban- doned for a bolder and more commanding situation. Part of this is still preserved in outhouses and offices. And one part, which appears to have been the Chapel, exhibits some appearances of antiquity greater than I have ever observed in a domestic building, and probably not later that 1200/' If Dr. Whitaker be right that Sir John Savile built Ilowley-IIall, which, we are else- where told, cost above one hundred thousand pounds,^! he must have been early engaged in stone and mortar after the death of his father, Sir Robert, who was buried at Batley, as the Register shows, in May. 1585. So that if finished by 1500, this vast mansion was, considering the age, very soon com- pleted. The Earl of Sussex may also have made additions to it, and he did so, probably, between the years 1G4G and 1GG0; for the Roman Doric, introduced by Inigo Jones about 1G30, is apparent on the Porter's Lodge. Some additions were undoubtedly § Lord Burghlcy built his great houses at Theobalds and Burghley, about the same period. Sec Ellis's Letters, vol. :;, p. 101. New Series. "| The young reader must always bear in mind the dif- ference in the value of money from its present worth, accord- ing to the time In which it is said to have been expended. Now, as in the reign of Henry 8th a given sum was worth more by nine or ten times than it is now, it may well tie Imagined that in the reign of Elizabeth one hundred thousand pounds would be an immense sum to lay out in building. I cannot refer to Fleetwood's Chronicon Preolosum, but I it would not be less than the or six hundred thousand pounds of our money at present. made to the hall about 1GG1, but I rather think from some circumstances, that the Earl of Sussex (Thomas) was then dead. I have in my possession a stone which came from "the ruins," and has abutted against a wall* In front is the owl (the family crest), on one side a man's head, and on the other a rose witli the date 1GG1, and the letters J. V. below it. Now this J. V. I take to be the initials of one of the Villiers family, into which Thomas married. And I shall pre- sently make it appear pretty evident that Lady Anne Villiers, (afterwards Savile.) his widow, was residing at Ilowley in 1663. But the latter part of the extract from Dr. Whitaker's book is what I have chiefly to dilate upon. It is the remains of the ancient mansion of the Mirfields, which most attracts, in these days, the notice of the rambler. No antiquary should visit these ruins with- out carefully perusing the capital account of Iladdon-IIall, in Derbyshire, by .Mr. King, to be found in the sixth volume of ArchsBologia, page 358. By the aid of this, and what has been told me by the Whitley family, for some generations living at the farm-house, I have been enabled to form a tolerable idea of the seal of the Mirfields. I take it principally to have consisted of a large square court, well defined by the; site of i he outbuildings in the present farm-yard, where wo still see the entrance to the Chapel and part of an open gallery, once extending through great part of the square. Behind this have been, unques- tionably, the bed rooms. But, to form a more correct notion, the reader must imagine the roof ( »f what now looks like a porch* taken off, and tin 4 wall run up two stories high above the round arch of the doorway; for in fact, the Whitloys even can recollect the pulling down this pari of the building, and putting on of the present roof. From them 1 know that there was a u in-raving of this in Dr. WhlUktr*! Leeds, vol. p. "JIM, plfttl '-'. lie chamber and belfry, t as it was called, above the Chapel, now bo like a porch, and thai the way thereto from it was through a doorway on the righl side and op a winding staircase, thf traces of all which arc distinctly visible. Mr. King Bays,! with reference to his plan of Eaddon-Hall, — k - K and L are whal 1 call the Lady's apartments, from whence is a steep staircase near the arch leading to the Lady's Chapel" Now 1 think with these hints, an attention to Mr. King's plan, and a minute examination of what is perceptible, the curious visitor may easily discover the Chapel, the entrance thereto from the court, the Lady's apartments, and entrance to the Chapel therefrom. There is one thing very curious and striking upon entering the porchlike structure, which is a large arch directly facing you, and more like a window 7 than a doorway. This, how- ever, it certainly has been, but the masonry being far from strong', and the mansion easily entered by this way, the outshot or projection with its superincumbent stories may have been an addition for better security. Two things rather incline me to this opinion. One is, that the architecture seems not so ancient as the rest of the building. And the other is, a manifest contrivance to protect the doorway by spears. I am quite surprised how any person having the eye of an antiquary could overlook so palpable a design as this. Dr. Whitaker has favoured the public with an engraving of this entrance§ in which the very holes for the pike or spear are shown, and yet he makes no mention of them, or indeed of some other curiosities which I shall notice. But whoever will examine the slanting direc- tion of these holes will at once disc-oxer the reason for it. As to the parts where we perceive the Saxon zig-zag, or early Norman arch,| this I take to be the most ancient part of what remains of the house. A small portion of the ancient lobby or gallery is still visible, and t This, however, J believe to have been not the Chapel, but the dinner bell. J See Arelunologia, vol. G, p; 858. § See History of Leeds, vol. '2, p. 240, plate 1 The Interior archway, it must heie be noted, is much larger than the plate represents it II Upon very minute Inspection I perceive the two arches have belonged to still older buildings than tb086 in which they are now walled, especially the zig-zag arch, which has evidently been broken and disjointed. The stone also is <|iiit.' different from any visible about these parts. The semicircular arch displays a number of birds with their heads around the moulding, just as I have seen them in a Cburch at York These have perhaps belonged to the ancient " lieldkii I, hereafter mentioned. just as the offices and small rooms to which there are various staircases from the court. are described by Mr. King, even so we have a specimen in the buildings at Howley. Before we quit the present farm-yard I must notice ;i curiosity the most remarkable, almost, that J ever met with — a relic which is perhaps unique of its kind, and which has puzzled me not a little. It appears to have caught the eye of Dr. Whitaker or his draughtsman, the late Mr. Thomas Taylor, of Leeds, architect; but, by some unaccountable accident the drawing has got jumbled in among the antiquities of Dewsbury. Here again I must refer to the History of Leeds, plate 2nd, p. 2 ( .)t Howley by Sir John. Sec Drake's York, p. I.,... t See Vicar's Parliamentary Chronicle, p. DJ7. Watson's UUury of Halifax, pu^c 08, ct al. up to the illumination of the age, and the spirit of the times in which he lives, accord- ing to the dictates of his conscience, and the voice of his country. In lieu of recommence he received a hollow, sarcastic, Jesuitical reply, containing in it far more of reproach and mockery than of conciliation and pity — ait answer, in short, quite in character with the principles and spirit of those cavalier people to whom he had lent himself — a tool. I shall not trespass upon the reader's patience in the consideration of a case in which it was so difficult to ascertain whether the goods of a Royalist, redeemed from " robbers and rebels," (as the Parliament of England and their illusti'ious Generals were called) could possibly be known to be other than " rebels' goods," — that is needless — the equivocation and insolence of the reply are upon record, and the sequel is known. Howley, however, was held for the Parlia- ment, but battered with cannon balls, stormed, and plundered by " indignant and high spirited loyalty." This attack upon Ilowley-IIall was occa- sioned as follows : — The Marquis of Newcastle whose head- quarters were at Pontefract, hearing that Lord Fairfax, with a very inferior force, was at Bradford, resolved to attack him ; and on his w^ay, it seems, he halted before the house, either for refreshing his troops, or for fear of being annoyed by the garrison and country people upon his rear ; for, it is a matter of notoriety, that the latter generally detested the Royalists* in these parts, and did them all the injury imaginable on their marches. AVhatever Newcastle's motive Avas. it induced him to deviate apparently from the main road, and the shortest to Bradford, and he probably went by Alverthorpe, Kirkhamgate, and the skirts of Soothill Wood. There were at that period, doubtless, few fences beyond the park, so Unit, in June, he would have no difficulty in bringing up his (wo cannon, "Gog" and " Magog" (as they were called), before the East and South East sides of the Hall. These, 1 presume, were what are called eight pounders, from a, cast iron ball in my posses- sion which weighs eight pound tw r o ounces, Sllngsby even, the " Loyalist," complains of their coming among bis soldiers ami snatching their swords from their sides, and hats from their beads, in the vicinity of Knares- borough. What a shame it is to attempt disguising the general feeling <>f the people <>f England, as many writers do when referring to the Civil War.— That is a line cause indeed which requires not only the propagation of falsehoods, but the suppression of important fact. 121 and was found some years ago deep in the hill below the ruins. Before we proceed further it may be as well here just to give an idea of this interest- ing spot, in 1643, — which, as near as I can describe it, was as follows: — On the Wesl side of the hall was a line bowling-green — on the North, and probably North East, was the parlour garden. On the AVoodchurch side there was* a cherry orchard, and many of the trees were there eighty years ago. The kitchen garden — strange to tell ! was on the South, and still more singular it is that the kitchens even were on this, most pleasant, Bide of the mansion. And here, by the way, 1 would remark that horticulture was in a low state in this age. There were gooseberry trees growing near the ruins formerly, but quite exhausted — of these I took cuttings and cultivated the trees well some years ago. but the fruit was miserable. The only notion of the edifice itself now t<» be gathered is from engravings presented by the late Karl of Cardigan to a few of his principal tenants, and taken, it is said, from an ancient painting in the family collection. From this imperfect view even it appears to have been a line ancient halled-house. con- structed with a strict regard to proportion and regularity, with a projecting centre on the South side, ornamented with columns, capitals, and mouldings. The whole seems crowned with battlements, and the cupolas, surmounted by weather-cocks, rise among the cliimnies with Eastern grandeur. One cannol indeed behold even this poor sketch and the beautiful wrought stone now dispersed through Morley, Birstal, Batley and all the neighbouring hamlets, wit hour a feeling of melancholy, mingled with indignation, at the villany and apathy which has deprived us of an object most interesting to posterity, from a large association of id. Such was Ilowley-IIall f when it was besieged and battered for several days together by the Royalists, who being, how- ever, bad engineers, did it far less injury than they designed. Some of their balls, however, as tradition reports, destroyed part of the tracery of the windows and drove in the mullions. One of them, especially, passed through the gallery, breaking the branch of t Howlcy Hall was sixty yards square- had two gateway! on the West Bide, and a Squaro Court, nearly in the centre, Which gave light to the cellars. From this were pa-sages to its three entrances oa the North, West, ttU d. South sides. a pear tree, and narrowly missing some of the family. Had the guns been more elevated than they were, generally, the mischief had been great ; but happily almost all the shot were afterwards found in the hill below. The resistance made by Sir John Savilo against a large army provided with every thing, while he. with a trifling force, wanted both cannon and provisions, was brave indeed. The greater number of his men, I believe, were raw soldiers, menial servants, and volunteers out of this clothing district, who generously stepped forth to protect a man- sion, the scene of old English hospitality during two generations of the Saviles at least. .Many of the pooresl families in Morley, Batley, Havercroft, &c., were supplied with broken victuals by their bounty.! and each village had ir- turn here. In fact as industry and merit were encouraged by this family, there were many who owed it a debt of gratitude, and all were interested in their behalf. The resistance may. therefore, be well supposed to have been of the most determined kind, and it is proved to have been so by the irritation of the Marquis of Newcastle, and his orders aa given in the succeeding extract. *-0n the storming of Howley-House," says Dr. Whitaker, " an officer had given quarter to the Governor, contrary to the Earl of Newcastle's order, and having been rebuked by him for his humanity, he under- took to execute his orders ex post facto; but Newcastle said ii was ungenerous to kill a man in cold blood." There is here, again, a mixture of truth and error in this tradition. That Newcastle issued these orders 1 doubt, but that he durst have seen them executed I have no doubt, for Cromwell was, at this period, comparatively little known. Sad that been otherwise, BO atrocious a purpose would never have crossed his mind, for had the hair of an Englishman been hurt in this way. but a few years after- wards, and his Earlship had fled to the other side the globe, the " Protector" would have found bim.§ One man. however, was killed l Archbishop Parker*! mode of keeping hospitality may be seen in Allan's History of Lambeth, p. '1'1\ ; or Gcnt.'r Mag. vol. ;i7, part 1, p. 527. The same usage appears to have been kept up at Nostel by f ■ • Wyim family, so lately as the early part of last century. Me ii- of Mi Catherine Cappe. Auo. at skcthugton, in Leicestershire See Note i<». in Nicholas M vol. pan 1, It don tless irai common, as it was necessary, aftct the demolition of the lionasterlaa • Ib'i '.vuiwHiT^aUh, rol 8) p 122 in oold blood, "ii opening the gates of Kowley-House, and he was the porter of lodgi — one William Smith — and from his gTeal grandson, once living at Lee-Fair, my ace unt comes. It appears, therefore, that it was for killing, and not intending to kill, that the officer was reproved; and we have here an instance how greatly a matter of fact may become distorted in the course of a century, without any bad design on the part of the relators. Having done with the siege of EEowley- Ilall. 1 would here just drop a word or two respecting Dr. Whitaker's great author. Lord Clarendon; and passing- by what the reader may find in such admirable books as Brodie's •• View of the British Empire." and Godwin's ••History of the Commonwealth," I would just state the opinion of Lord Orford respect- ing him. Having-, very justly, lamented that "two of the greatest men in our annals* should have prostituted their admirable pens— the one to blacken a great Princef — the other to varnish a pitiful Usurper,"! Lord Orford adds — •• It is unfortunate that another great Chancellor should have written a history with the same propensity to misrepresentation, I mean Lord Clarendon. It is hoped no more Chancellors will write our history until they can divest themselves of that habit of their profession — apologising for a bad cause."§ Consistently with this Bishop Burnet also writes thus: — "I do not," says he, "intend to prosecute the wars. I have told a great deal relating to them in the Memoirs of the Dukes of Hamilton. — Rushworth's Collections contain many excellent materials ; and now the Earl of Clarendon's first volume of the History gives a faithful representation of /ho beginning of the troubles, though writ in favour of the Court, and full of the best excuses such ill things were capable of."|| About oik; hundred yards from the farm- house at Ilowley, on the West side, and near the foot-path to Morley, lies a. small stone of cylindrical shape, bearing this inscription — k - Iloiv Nevison killed Flecher, L684." This stone has certainly been here above seventy years, but how much longer is unknown, h was cut and engraved by JohD Jackson, the schoolmaster of Lee-Fair, commonly called Sir Thomas More and Lord Bacon are here alluded to. Bui i i not to be understood at a single perusal t Biohard8rd. ! Benry7th. B " Hlstorio Doubts," p, 68. Ii Own Times, vol. I, p, 48, ••Old Trash." \)\\ Whitaker has quite over- looked this stone, and I cannot give as good an account as might be wished of the cir- cumstance to which it relates. However, I can, perhaps, give a better than any person now living. After the death of Lord .James Saville, in 1671, or, at least, after the marriage of Lady Frances, Howley, as I before stated, was little frequented by its great owners. The house was occupied by three families — Ayres, Ray or Kaye,l and Procter, I believe, were their names. I write one of the names Ray or Wray, because this is the name transmitted by tradition, but Kaye appears more likely to be right. But. waiving' trifles, one Janson occupied the lodg-e, while one Fletcher kept an alehouse where the chief tenant now T lives. About the latter end of Charles the 2nd's reign, the robberies of Xevison had become so frequent and daring, and the danger of apprehending him was considered so great that, as in the case of Turpin, in 1737,** few persons w T ere willing to attempt it; and the Government was obliged to offer a consider- able reward for securing him. Allured by the offer, this Fletcher, calling to his aid a brother who lived where Cross-Hall now stands, resolved to entrap the robber on his next visit. It was not long ere the oppor- tunity offered, for Nevison was drawn hither- ward by many motives. Here was a lonely spot, near a large wood, many fairs of different kinds, many cross roads, at a con- venient distance from Pontefract (the place of his nativity) and of his father's abode. But Nevisou was attracted by another influence, the most powerful in the human bosom. Like the formidable Samson, he had at Dunningley his '-Delilah," — a married woman, I believe, wdiose offspring and descendants (whether improperly or otherwise I k - wot" not) were long- honoured with his name. Certain, how- ever, it is that Nevison Avas often travelling to Dunningley and Howley. Soon after his last visit, however, the Fletchers contrived to overcome him, and locking up in their stable (he wonderful animal on which he rode, they fastened her master in one of I he upper rooms of the outshot or porch (before described) in (he farm-yard. •i one Mrs. Kaye, daughter of Batt, of Oakwell. Hall, and ■ : wife of Mr. John Kaye, <>f Gomersal, died at Eowlej Hall, in L780, Leavings son Robert and daughter Martha, who in L766 was in her L05th year. These were all of Ilowley. See Watson'^ Halifax, p. 189. See Oentleman's MugaKine, 1737, p. 43S< 12; But Nevison soon forced his way through a window, and, making a spring, lie alighted upon a heap of manure which was just under it. ami took his course towards Morley. An alarm, however, was soon given, and 07.' the Fletchers pursued him closely on . Being a remarkably athletic man — relying upon his strength, and probably fancying he had disarmed his visitor, he called upon him to surrender himself. Nevison, on the other hand, attempted to argue, and reproached the other with his treachery and ingratitude ; but the great reward was predominant in the mind of Fletcher, so that he grappled with his customer, and in the struggle which ensued the robber fell undermost. Finding himself again overcome by force, Nevisou had recourse to a "bosom friend" — a short pi which firing at the heart of Fletcher he rolled from his body a lifeless corpse. Such was the account which in my boyish days I received from people seventy or eighty years old. and such was the account of their forefathers. It was, for the most part, con- firmed to me about fourteen yen- ago, by the narration of old Thomas Robertshaw, of Soothill Wood-side, whose ancestors were park and gamekeepers* t 1 the Saviles, with only a disagreement as to the weapon where- with the murder was committed. This sturdy veteran relying upon the accuracy of his grandfather, who knew Nevison, would have it that the instrument was a short dagger, ••shaped (as he expressed himself) like a cobbler's 'elsin' "i- -b-idkin;' " and this was also told me as the tradition by people at Sandal and at Wakefield. "Jusl at the top of the park," said old Robertshaw, "my grandfather told me that Nevison thrust the elsin all c >vered with blood into the straw thatch of a cottage which .-tool there, and where it was found afterwards." However this may be, it i- certain that by the key of the stable in Fletcher's pocket, or others he regained bis mare,t and rode to York at a rate so increpibly swift, that upon his trial afterwards he established an alibi, by proving himself to have been upon the Bowling-Green there at an early hour of the same day. This, " See also the depositions touching the " I'.irnh . Plot," in Whitaker 'a Leeds, from which it appears they were park-keepers. 3ee the account of Kevison's leap Dear Ferrybridge. Gentleman's Magazine, 1820, p. 420. His marc had DUt <>n.' eye, and was of a dusky brown colour. Mj ?erj respectable aged friend, Mrs Hardy, of Birksgate, Eirkbnrton, has given me several remarkable and well authenticated particulars of NeVlson, which are committed to writing. certainly, will appear more wonderful when the then state of th All the accounts published of this very 'rated highwayman are mere " Grab- fabrications. There is no truth even as to the place where or the person by whom he was apprehended at last. That person, instead of a Captain Eardcastle, was a valiant tailor, whofinding him asleep on the bench of a bouse, of the Magpie, at Sandal, and one of the then three Inns called "Sandal Three Houses," pinioned his arms and pro- cure nee. Most other particulars about a^ uncertain and improbable as the adventures of Robin Hood, although centuries have rolled away in the interval between There is one very remarkable circumstance which causes me to doubt whether the stone before-mentioned has not got misplaced, although there is no tradition of its ever having laid elsewhere. There is a lane lead- ing to Dewsbury, exactly between what was tin 1 house of Fletcher, of Cross- 1 [all and Howley-Hall, which is called "S -nan- Lane." from the circumstance i nan having been there murdered. This i- - i notorious that thousands of people have, for generations, been fearful of travelling it after dark, on account of the spirit of this murdered man being supposed to walk there. Whether or not the killing of Fletcher by Nevison has given to the lane its name must be left to Conjecture — certainly the name Fletcher sounds Scottish.J It is very remarkable that we should have no certain accounts of men so celebrated in their way as Nevison and Turpin. although, truly, there is nothing edifying in such lives. However, as they both kept the kingdom in a state of alarm many years, and achieved extraordinary feats : and as their history was, ;y. written by one Captain JohUBOn, scarce fifty years after the death of the former, and very s.h.n after that of the latter, one might have expected to have known some- thing. How formidable they were considered appears from their irons in York Castle, and the little that may be depended upon COH- concerning them presents us with a curious pictured Of the the time-. ; yet it originally came fx feathering arrows, which Fletchers, who completed the work >>i tin- arrow smith, while the DOWyeH and sti. construct •, especially, the.Gentleman's Magazine for 17S7j | I1M WTiile writing upon remarkable things near llowley ruins, I must not forgot one of greatest note, I mean "Lady Anne's \W11."|| situate on the South East Bide and near to SoothiU Wood. To this well, annually, on Palm Sunday, the surrounding villagers have, for ages, been wont to resort to drink its water on account of their supposed preter- natural efficacy ; for, at six o'clock on that morning, it was believed that they assume different colours. It is uncertain from whence the well has taken its name, but being a matter of much curiosity I shall offer a few thoughts upon it. The common opinion I know is that this was a favourite well with Lady Suisex, whose name being Anne or Anna makes it plausible; but I am persuaded it has still been a place of annual resort for ages. It is well known that in the darkest times of superstition, if a well was situate in a peculiarly solitary spot, had clear water, and grass flourishing near its edge, a medicinal or salubrious quality was soon attached to itH — it was dedicated to some tutelary Saint and honoured with his name.** We thus hear of St. John's, St. Winifred's, St. Mary's, or St. Anne's Wells. Imitating in this, as in other instances, the custom of their Pagan forefathers, the early Christians in this land were wont to decorate their wells on Ascen- sion Day, in the Spring, with flowers — a ceremony which was accompanied with some religious rite, or considered so in itself. In the time of the Romans, the birth-day of the Goddess Flora had been honoured by the erection of altars and institution of games at this very season ; and during the Floral ia the grossest impurities were practised. Nor have the devotees of our sainted Ladies been much behind them in amorous warmth, as the name of the field in question may perhaps declare. Remnants of well- worship have subsisted in Craven, according to Whitaker, within half a century. At Tissington, in Derbyshire, according to Lyson, it" is still practised. But I have another, and, to my mind, a much more satisfactory hypothesis to lay before the reader, touching these assemblages ; II This Well being considerably below the level <>f Bowley Hiiil. has probably only Bupplied it partially with wati r. •, Pilgrimages were made to wells, in some Instances their ImputM efficacy was ot ;i moral kind . hut the visits to them were generally for worldy purposes. • • Whitaker's Craven, 480. Dyson's m. B. vol. 5, p. 242. (ient.'H Mag. for 1791, P 901. Ditto for 1804, p. 71S. Ditto fur 17'J4, p. \i'10. Clarkson's Richmond, p 226. and, perhaps, this is the case, because the discovery is my own. It appears that, according to the Saxon Laws, the ranks of ecclesiastical structures were as follows: — First, there was the Minster or Mother Church. Secondly, the Church having a place of burial. Thirdly, the Fieldkirk* or Chapel without cemetery. having neither right of sepulture or adminis- tration of sacraments. Now there can be no doubt that in Saxon and early Norman times, as before-mentioned, the Church was at Morley, and afterwards at Batley. What then was the place of worship at Batleyf aforetimes? or what was that of which we have some vestigesj at Howdey ? Methinks it was a mere parochial Chapel, called in those days a " Fieldkirk." It was, however, considerable enough, in all pro- bability, to give rise to a village wake or fair, which would naturally be called 4t Fieldkirk Fair." Fairs were anciently held in Church-yards, on the day of the dedication of their respective Churches, or on the Sunday following. Mr. Baker says, " the origin of Fairs has been sought for in the annual resort to some Holy well, or to the Festival of the Saint to whom the Church was dedicated; and hence the most ancient fairs will be found to correspond with the dedication§ of the Church. Here then, in the vicinity of IIowley-Hall, we have two religious edifices in early times — the Kirk of Batley, and the Chapel or Fieldkirk at Howley or Southwell ; and we have also a "Holy Well." Can any one doubt then that there was here in former days a Fair? — Now then let us apply our knowledge of the premises as eveiy antiquary ought to do. Ask then a villager, returning from the annual assemblage in question, where he has been ? and the answer he will give you is — I have been at " Fieldcock Fair"\\ This, in fact, is the only name by which it goes. But who can doubt that it is a corruption of 1 See a Fieldkirk— St. Kenelm's Chapel, County of Salop. Gentleman's Magazine for 1S02, p. 1177. t It appears from Domesday that there was a Church or Chapel at Batley, and a Presbyter, in Saxon times. { To celebrated Wells there were often places of worship annexed in ancient times. See Lysons Magna Britannia Passim, especially his Cornwall. § See Gent.'s Mag. vol. S, p. 466 and 622. Lyson's Bedford- shire, p. 70, etc. Nichols's Leicestershire, vol. 2, part 1, p. 220. i| See a valuable note in Hone's " Mysteries and Miracle plays," p. loo. 125 Fieldhirh Fair? No one, methiuks, who considers the trifling; difference there is in the sound or spelling of the words, and the vast change which some expressions are known to have undergone, even in the course of a few generations. But Batley Church is. perhaps, a mile from St. Anne's Well, and the Church is dedicated to All Saints, which day is on the 1st of November, whereas Palm Sunday is the first Sunday before Easter, which is a moveable feast. This appears an objection. But, besides that, the first Church at Batley may have been dedicated to St. Anne,1T. there is nothing more variable than the time at which, in after ages, the Fairs were held. At first. no doubt, after the Clergy had officiated on these days the people went out, at the con- conclusion of the service, to rural sports,** but in process of time the days were changed. ••Markets and fairs," says Lysons, *• were formerly held at many places on Sundays, Good Fridays, and other great feasts and festivals, to the great umbrage of pious per- sons who often petitioned against them. In Henry 3rd's time, markets were changed by the King's charter to other times. In 1449 they became the subject of a petition to Parliament." |f "In the Archives of Whalley," says Whitaker, " are letters patent of Ilenry 4th, annulling a fair held in the Church-yard of Whalley (a practice hardly abolished after the Reformation), which as it gave offence, was by other letters patent transferred to Clitheroe, and appointed to be held on the Eve-Day and Morrow el' the Annunciation." In Episcopal registers many licenses are entered for altering the dedication feasts of Parish Churches, and the pleas urged by the persons who solicited these indulgences were, that either the work, or the weather of the seasons, rendered the days originally appointed inconvenient or hazardous, or that they could not be duly observed, and with a becoming reverence, from their interfering with celebri- ties of another class, jf Having said so much for the " Kirk Fair," let us once more return to the " Lady's Well." •j See Hunter's South Yorkshire, p. 84 ; <>r Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 98, part 2, p. 2:57 ; also Speed, 7!»0. Wood church appears, from Speed, to have been dedicated to the Holy Trinity, but there ia no donbt that it was ante- cedently dedicated* to St. Mary. *" 1'osbroke's Encyclopaedia, vol. I, ]> 889 tt See his Berkshire. History of Whalley, vol. 2, t; See the subject fully discnssed In ftJCh»ol vol 6 |>- 269 Though Roman Catholic ceremonies were generally disused under Henry 8th, yet he declared that the bearing of palms, on Palm Sunday, was to be continued and not cast away; and. it appears, that they were borne in England until the second§§ year of Edward Cth, or rather later.|||| It was a Roman Catholic custom to resort to our Lady of Nants (or Ann's) Well, at Little Conan. in Cornwall, with a Cross of Palm ; and the people (after making the Priest a present) were allowed to throw* tho Cross into the Well. If it swam the thrower was to outlive the year — if it sunk he was not. According to Stowe, in the week before Easter there were great shows in London, for going to the woods and fetching into the King's house a twisted tree or " withe," and the like into the house of every man of con- sequence. It is still customary with men and boys, even in London, to go a palming early on Palm Sunday morning. Mr. Douce, in a MS. Note cited by Mr. Ellis, says — " I have somewhere met with a provervial saying, that he that hath not a palm in his hand on Palm Sunday morning-, must have his hand cut off."ff So much for the Ilowley annual assemblages with reference to the " Lady Ann's Well," which, however, from the name must neces- sarily be connected with Fieldkirk Fair. Respecting the Fieldkirk I have only to add the following remarks : — Before the time of Henry 3rd a check appears to have been put to the practice of endowing New Parishes, so that foundations claiming rights of sepulture ami administra- tion of the sacraments, henceforth assumed an intermediate rank between the Churches of the second order like that at Batley, and the mere Fieldkirk, and were called parochial Chapels. Such, probably, was the Chapel of Morley. The Fieldkirk was a mere Oratory Or Chapel of Base, so called, nol from its situation in the country, but from its lying uninclosed, and Open to the adjoining fields. It had no right or place of sepulture,* as before mentioned, and no stilted endowment, but the founder [one's Kven Day Book, vol. 1, p. 390. Hi! Speed, B4& Palms TON undoubtedly borne in the rei K 'u of Mary. ■ ■ Sone'i Every Day Hook, vol. l, p. 386. • According to the Canon Law too. no bell could be rung: at men a Chapel. 126 was required by the laws of Edgar (without subtracting from the tithes) to maintain his Chaplain oat of the remaining nine parts of his income. To this class belonged many Chapels of Base, since become parochial. Before 1 close this subjecl of St. Anne's Well, there is one thin-', perhaps not worth remarking, but which 1 still cannot pass over. The well is situate, as near as I can guess, South East or South of the ancient residence at Howley. Now Soot hill is only a corrup- tion of Southwell, which was the name of its early owners, and from which family it came into that of Savile ; and, as in the early times, it was common for people to take their Surnames from local circumstances, so I am persuaded the AVell has given name to the family as well as to the adjacent wood. The Southwells are often mentioned in our national history, and one of them suffered cruelly in the arbitrary, persecuting' reign of Elizabeth.f Besides which Soothill is correspondent to our Yorkshire pronunciation, as in the instance of Cherill for Churwell ; Coldhill for Coldwell ; Stockill for Stockwell ; Parkill for Parkwell ; and so of innumerable w T ords of this termina- tion. The mention of this name leads me to write on Soothill-Hall, and that of Carling- how, before I return with the reader into the Wakefield and Bradford Road. Soothill-IIall, as may well be imagined, was a seat of the very great and ancient family of Southwell. Hereabouts (perhaps at Howley) in the time of the early Planta- genets, lived Reginald, Lord of Soothill ; and here also from the 22nd of Henry 3rd to the 17th of Edward 1st, lived Sir John Soothill, his son and heir. I shall not pursue the pedigree, but content myself with remarking that by the marriage of Sir Henry Savile, grandfather of Sir John, with Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Thomas Soothill, Esq. the families became united. The mansion at Soothill, the ruins of which we see. was built by one of the Soothills, about the middle of the sixteenth century, as 1 should think. It consisted of a square court, with open galleries or lobbies on two or more of the sides, but a, t There is a curious Paper in the LandsdoWD Collection, as to the state of South Wales in 1576. " The people," says the writer, "are naturally very devout, etc. . Nut more than the name of Coil they know nothing at all : and, therefore, as utterly ignorant OZ him or their salvation, do still, in heaps, go on pilgrimage to the wonted Wells and places of supersti- tion . anil in the nights, after the feasts, when the old oft'rings wit.- osed to in- Kept at any [dol'« < 'hapei. tiiiii.t ii,, Church be p.'llnl down, yet do they come to tin- place where the Church or Chapel uxu, by great journeys, barefoot, very supersti- tion ly" This is a beautiful Illustration of my subject. See Kills'-' Letters. Second Series, vol :;. p 1:1 late owner having been such a Vandal as to destroy this tine building merely for the value of its materials, I write on it with diffidence. What was once the hall is. however, accident- lv preserved, and cannot fail to interest ; but a small parlour, now a bedroom, near, but not adjoining it. will be still more attactive to s >me people. It is still called "the Bishop's parlour."± and was once the room of Bishop Til son. Tilson was a Yorkshireman. born near Halifax, about 1. 775. a student of Baliol College, Oxford, in 150:3. and Vicar of Roch- dale in 1615. Becoming Chaplain to Lord Strafford, when he w r as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, he took him over there and made him Dean of Christchurch, in Dublin. Pro Vice Chancellor of that University, and Bishop of Elphiu, in 1G39. From Ireland he fled,§ on account of his troubles, in 1G41, and his patron being beheaded in this year, Tilson retired to his family at Soothill-IIall, and officiated there, in the baptism of children at least. For several years, and even after he was seventy years of age, he travelled weekly a distance of twelve miles to perform duty for less than sixteen pounds per annum. The following copy of a letter of his shows him to have been a lively, facetious old man, and makes one feel for his hard destiny. " I am not," says he, " altogether idle — I pray after the directory. I preach every Sunday at a place in the mountains, called Cumberworth, two miles beyond Emley, where I have, by the way, Laurence, my Gams. It w r as proffered me by a gentleman, Mr. Wentworth, of Britton, whom I never saw save once before he sent unto me. And because it came, as all my ecclesiastical livings hath done, without seeking and suit, I took it to be appointed for me by God, as a little Zoar ; to save my life ; and did accept it, though it will not reach twenty marks per annum. Besides, I trust, to do God service in the work of my ministry, amongst that moorish and lately rebellious, plundering people. When first I went to Rochdale you may remember what the old hostler at the Hailing Bull willed me to do. ' Take with you,' said he, 'a great box full of tar, for ; Watson says "he consecrated this room, gave ordination privately, and 'did weekly the offices of a Clergyman, some of his neighbours being both his hearers and benefactors." The Tilsons long fanned Soothill Hall, and were there so lately as 1.748. See more in Gent's Mag. for 1S0U, p. 520. Note. $ I presume Archbishop Usher fled from Ireland about the same time and for the same cause as Tilson. See an interest- ing article in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1792, p. 714. 12' you will find a good company of scabbed sheep." The first Sunday I preached in the forenoon, and read prayers in the after; but when I saw. by their munnurings, they must have two fotheriDgs, I made good use thereof ; whereas I might have given them two six- pences. They are well pleased if I give them two groats for a shilling, which I intend to pay them, so childish are they in right valu- ing of God's coin." It is impossible here to resist the tempta- tion of observing that the people of many villages, which I could mention, are still quite as singular as were the Cumberworth folk in the days of this humorous old Bishop, and for the very same " fancy" to which he alludes. They love good measure in every thing, like true Yorkshiremen, but in nothing more than in the article which they call "preaching," and which others frequently call "prating."* But two "fotherings," now It is very diverting to observe the strange fancies of different people. Some who are styled the '"fancy" love lighting— some love quarrelling and opposition— some are very fond of law— some of gaming— some of di inking— some parish business— some of longwinded sermons or speeches- some of hearing themselves talk— some of what they cannot understand— some of fictions One old lady, of fine fortune, spends it in running opposition coaches. One family, called a days, would not content such people, even if the Minister were to preach, as did some of the Bishop's contemporaries, with the hour- glass at his elbow; for in some places three on a Sabbath and two or three on other days of the week are become customary. 1 have heard, indeed, of a Reverend Shoemaker who was in high repute hereabouts because he often preached five times in seven days. To do the cattle impartial justice, nevertheless, I will say it for them, that they are not scrupulous as to quality in their provender, if quantity only be furnished ; for, to pursue t lu- cid Bishop's metaphor, a good "fathering" of "chaff" and "dust" will satisfy them quite as well as the finest "herbage" and the sweetest "flowers." Of Tilson I have nothing more to record, save that he died on the 31st of March, Hi-")."), aged 80 years, and was interred at the East end of the South Aisle of Dewsbury Church, where a tablet is erected to his memory. Rodley, have been chimney sweepers for two hundred vcars, and will not follow anything else. The Booksellers tell mo that they have the chief sale in classics and controversial divinity And last autumn I heard a company at Buxton talk near two hours about a parrot ! ! ! What a world do we live in. CARLIN G H O W I\ this word, spelled and pronounced as it is now, we have a line illustration how other names have been twisted from their original sound and signification. "How or hoo," as Camden tells us in page 118 of his Remains, " is an high place ;" but Oarlinghow is a very low one — it is in a valley. The word .should certainly be written Garjinghowgh or Car- linghawgh. "Howgh or llawgh," says the same antiquary, in the same volume, "is a •j:\ven plot in a valley." But Haugh signified also, in ancient times, hall. Thus we find, from Penant's London, that there was a man- sion called " Basingshaugh or hall," from the family that built it ; and so likewise from the family of Carting having built a capital seat here, the place may have derived its name Carlinghaugh. To the antiquary and the scholar I leave it to choose between the two etymologies which are here presented, merely referring him to Nicholls's Leicestershire, vol. 3, p. 123, for further information. One thing, however, is evident — namely, that u how" in Oarlinghow is preposterous. This poor village, now unworthy of a visit, had, some years ago, one of the most antique looking houses within it that I ever beheld. It was anciently occupied by the Ellands, of Elland, and by the Deightons after them. The Ellands, of Oarlinghow, I find were the descendants of Sir John Elland by his third wife, and four of them seemed to have lived here — namely, Robert, son of Sir John, — Thomas, the son of Robert, — Robert, the son of Thomas, — and lastly, Marmaduke, the son of Robert. It was apparently their family connections with the Copleys and Saviles which drew them into this neighbourhood. " Sir Bryan Thornhill, of Thornhill, by Deed dated Batley, 1334, gave leave to Adam de Oxenhoppe to assign over to William de Oar- linghow, the chaplain, one messuage, two bovat.es of land, and thirty shillings rent, which the said Adam held of the said Bryan, as parcel of the Manor of Batley ; and in con- sequence, and with leave; of the King, and of William Melton, Archbishop of York, the said Adam founded a Chantry in Batley Church for his soul and the souls of Margery his wife, Robert his father. Maud his mother, William de Copley, John. William, and Thomas, his brothers, and the souls of Sir John de Thornhill. and Bryan his son; Thos. de Thornton, and Ellen his wife, and John de Maningham, for all whose goods he had ill gotten,| and for all the faithful departed. £ The ancient mansion before noticed was a post and pan, or lath and plaister building, with curious wooden spirals or pinnacles carved so as to give it a most venerable appearance, and 1 should have taken the whole of it to be much older than the reign of Elizabeth ; yet a stone in the building (still preserved) shews that the masonry was not so, at least, for its date is 1560. If it was then cased with stone, of course the wood work might be safely referred to the Planta- genet reigns; and Dr. Whitaker has been mistaken in one respect, though right in another, in attributing Castle-Hall, in Mirfield, to the reign of Henry 8th. However this may be, they were two of the most curious and interesting structures of the domestic kind that ever I beheld. The whole front of the latter § was covered with allegorical devices and human figures — some in a state of nudity, others in curious costumes, pre- senting, in short, all kinds of grotesque forms, while the ponderous oak timber within was 'as hard as flint, and black as ebony. Had I been Lord Grey de Wilton, or Mr. Beaumont, of Whitley, scarcely any earthly considera- tion, and much less the piping of a tenant, could have induced me to allow one stick or stone of these buildings to be disturbed. But property comes into the hands of men, alas ! t Many of the great people in Edward the Srd's reign con- tinued to be robbers and assassins, and these were the ways by which they were taught to quiet their consciences, especi- ally in sickness. t Watson's History of Halifax, p. 100—210. § I have taken the precaution to get a drawing of Castle- Hall, before tin- Goths and Vandals destroyed it. I am sure it is ,i wonder that Clifford's Tower has not been demolished ; for some people would destroy the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, were it in England, and in its prestine form especially if they could get or save uvc pounds a year by the materials. 129 of veiy different tastes and inclinations ! and the country is thus deprived of its chief rarities. Over the words " Carlinghow " and " Mirfield " the antiquary may now write some such single word as " Ichabod " — their glory — their grandeur — their curiosity — their interest "have now departed" from them. and a farmhouse or an alehouse is now only seen where the pinnacles of the Ellands — the Copleys — the Deightons — the Mirfields — Hetons — and Beaumonts once rose so striking and so fair ! Returning to that part of the Wakefield and Bradford Road called the " Street," let us now pursue our course to the village of Adwalton, and rejoin, in imagination, the Marquis of Newcastle; who having left a garrison in llowley-llall, in June, 1643, marched to Adwalton, where he rested for the night. — In taking this line we shall not, I believe, be treading exactly in the footsteps of the Royalist army, but holding to the right of them, until we arrive at the field of battle ; for according to all the traditionary accounts, the Earl came out upnn the Moor by those fields of Miss AYhiteleg, which are on the South of the AVhite Horse Inn. Here, how- ever, he halted, taking up his quarters most likely at this very house, part of which, at least, as appears by a date of 16-12 cut on stone within it. was built the very year next before the fight. And here, before we come to the "tug of war," let us refresh ourselves by some observations on a village and plain which may justly be considered classic ground. AD WALTON. ADWALTON, formerly written and pronounced •• \ -Morton." but now (by the well known change of the "d" into the* "th" Atherton, though now a poor hamlet, only noted for its fairs, was so respectable in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as to have furnished accommodations not only for nobility but loyalty; oven for the renowned Elizabeth. Such, at least, is the tradition and belief of the inhabitants, who relate that, for some hospitalities shown her, she granted them the privilege of holding fairs, and that she slept where the White Horse Irm now stands. I know not what to make of this tale — it may be true in part, as such traditions have often some foundation, and yet there are some objections to it. In the first place, among all the progresses of this Queen which have met my eye, I never observed a Northern one ; and, as to the chamber which goes by her name, the very date of 1642 cut within it is a palpable contradiction. Moreover, I have just now a curious copy of Ilollingshed's Histories of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with wood cuts, and in black letter, laying before me, published in Elizabeth's reign, and professing to give an account of all our principal fairs; but no fair at this place is mentioned. That a fair was, however, held here in 1661 appears from "Hodgson's Memoirs." This is the earliest notice that has ever occurred to me, and it makes the account not so very incredible as it might otherwise be supposed. Those people who place reliance upon a sound in the etymology of a word, may believe that Adderton, Jladderton. or Ather- ton, is a corruption of Heather Town, and that it took its name from being situate upon This change took place about Henry stii'.s reign, notwith- standing the " (I " was occasionally retained a century after- wards. " Upon Sundays and holidays, " says a curious Paper, anno. 1."i7. r >, ami relating to the Welch, " the multitude of all sorts, men, women, and children of every pariah, do use to meet • iUier on some hill, or on the side of some mountain, where their harpers and CTOWthera sing them BOUgS of the doings of their ancestors." Ellis's Letters, Second Serk-s, vol. •!, p. i'.K A crowdcr wu a minstrel who played on a species of riol a sort of fiddler Sec Chester Cathedral for a curious group of them, a moor abounding with hadder or heather, that is — heath or ling. Thus in Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy we have the passage — " They lay upon the ground covered with skins as the redshanks do on hadder;" but my decided opinion is, that Adwalton conies from " ad Vallum," that it deduces its origin from the Romans, and proves the road on which it lies to be a Roman road. It appears, upon the authority of Dr. Stukeley, that Caesar's camp, previous to his passage of the Thames, was at a place called " Walton," — the " common name," says he, " where camps are found, and coming from Vallum." That Stukeley was right every antiquary knows, and also, that no better proof of a Roman road can be given than the finding a town with such a name on any line. Witness, for instance, an Adwalton between Colchester and Chester, a well known Roman way. Witness an Atherston, in Leicester- shire, lying upon the Watling- Street,! or ancient road through that country. Witness other instances, too many to mention, but which I do not now recollect. During- the Civil War, and after it, there was at Adwalton an Inn, the sign of which is interesting, not only because "thereby hangs a tale," but because it indicates some- thing of the general feeling in these parts at that momentous period. u About the middle of July, 1661," says Captain Hodgson, J "I was at Adderton fair, having some goods to sell, and when I had taken money for them I was going to my post-house for my horse, it being at the Lord Brooke's" £c. 1 nnkcepers do not often hang out unpopular signs, but such, on the contrary, as they imagine v\ ill best please the public, and "draw custom" to their houses. Now, this Lord Brooke was a Puritan, and a Parliamentarian, and an officer in the army. He was killed in 1642, at Lichfield, of which he had taken possession, by a shot from the Cathedral of St. Chad, which a party of Royalists had t Sec Nichols's Leicestershire, vol. 4, p. 1036—7. | Hodgson's Memoirs, p. 170, 131 fortified, and while he was viewing' them. sitting in the window-seat of a house near it. To vilify this Nobleman, the Royalists gave out that he aimed at the destruction of all the Cathedrals in the kingdom, and they insinuated as much, no doubt, as to the wishes of other Nobles of his party. It was reserved for time, and especially for the generous Fairfax, to confute their calumnies, and expose their malignity. Such little incidents as these — ;t the Sign of the Lord Brooke's, at Adwalton," arc, to me at least, delightful. They indicate the public feeling and temper of these parts at the beginning of the Civil War. They con- firm the traditions of our neighbourhood, the narratives of my forefathers, the impressions of my youth, and the convictions of maturer life. "Well might Dr. Whitaker, in the bitter- ness of his wrath, acknowledge that "the inclinations of the clothing districts greatly preponderated on the side of the Parliament." I am far from thinking that no part of the premises belonging to the White Horse Inn are more ancient than the date 1G42 would bespeak, as much of them seem to belong to the reign of James, if not of Elizabeth. The Queen's chamber is, in fact, so low that a tall person would scarcely stand in it erect ; the ceiling is ornamented with square compart- ments of raised mouldings, having figures of roses, birds, and other devices, among which, that of a hawk upon a scroll or staff is pre- dominant. The stone also bearing the date has over it a cherubim, roses, and escalops at the angles, and a hawk, exactly in character with the other ornaments. About fifty yards westward of this Inn and on the other side of the way is another ancient mansion called "Usher Hall," from a Mr. Usher* who lived here in 1715. This man, it is said, upon the raising of the train bands in these days, sent a servant out armed cap-a-pie as his substitute en horseback, who, hearing of the Scots' defeat, returned imme- diately. In commemoration of the evenl Usher used, annually, to make a bonfire on the hill before his house, and serve out copious draughts of ale to the villagers, com- pelling all to drink out of the trooper's helmet. As 1 never read a description of the hnlled- house of a gentleman oi small fortune in the ' I BtTODglv suspect, but cannot prove it, that tliis .Mr. Usher was related to the Archbishop; and though the family were Irish, tiiev probably cai vet during the troubles : ana if a branch settled at Adwalton. it may account Ums — some of them underdrawn and corniced — some not either. Viewing the whole t » get her, the spectator might well conceive himself in the dining-room of an ancient baronial mansion; but by the same tradition which refers its erection to the founder of Drighlington School we are told that it was once a Chapel. The rest of the entire edifice, B misting of eleven Xi^vy small rooms, separated by partitions of oaken wainscot, is undeserving of notice. Notwithstanding the name and coal of arm-. 1 have no doubl that the whole fabric owes its Form to Dr. dames Margetson (or Mar- gerison), Archbishop of Dublin, who by his will founded Drighlington Sch oi, May 81st, 1678. lie was, as appears from Wood's Athena', of Peterhouse College, Cambridge, and succeeded Lancelot Bulkley (in L660) to the Archbishopric, 132 " The house of every country gentleman of property," says Drake, "included a neat Chapel and a spacious hall, and where the estate and establishment was considerable, was divided into two parts, one for the state- rooms, the other for the household." It gives me pleasure to find that the device of the boar's head, with a lemon in his mouth, may be accounted for, and that it was so appropriate to the hall of a gentleman uf former days, the scene, no doubt, of con- viviality and hospitality at many seasons, but especially at Christmas. Before the great Civil War the first dish that was brought to table in gentlemen's houses, at Christmas, was a boar's head with a lemon in his mouth.* " At Queen's Col- lege," says Aubrey, writing under the year 1076," they still retain this custom. The l>earer of it brings the dish into the hall, singing to an old tune, an old Latin rhyme, 4 Caput Apri defero— Reddens laudes Domino.' " i " The Bore's head in hand bring I With Oarlands gay and Rosemary ; —I pray yon all synge merely Qui* estis in Convivio. 2 The Bore's head I understande Is the chefe servyce of the lande ; Loke whereuer it be fande Servite cum Cantico. Be gladde, Lords, both more and lasse For this hath ordayned our Stewarde To chere you all this Christmasse The Bore's head with Mustard." A real antiquary is apt to be diffuse where his subject pleases him, and he imagines him- self able to please < thers. This must be my apology for attempting to illustrate still fur- ther the device in question. The subject being curious, I shall endeavour to supply a few links to a broken chain, and, at least, not to leave it worse than I have found it. The origin of the device or usage, perhaps, may be traced back to Saxon times. " One Nigell, having killed a, large boar in Bernwode Forest, Bucks, and presented its head to Edward the Confessor, lie gave him the rangershij) of that forest, also an hyde of land, called k Deerliyde,' and a wood, called ' Hulewood] to hold to him and his heirs, by a horn — hence 'Borstall' house and manor. The same figure of a hoar's head was carved on the head of an old bedstead, remaining in • Hone's Table Book, vol. i, p. 890. This also appears to have been the annnal custom ;it ^ir Rowland VVynn'B, at Nortel, in tin- curly part of last century. See Memoba of tin Life of Mrs. < lappa. the tower of that ancient house or castle." J That the device and ceremony is very ancient I have met with other evidences. In an old eompotus we have this entry — " Payed for iii shetes thick gross paper, to deck the boar's head in Christmas, xii d -"* And again, in another part. " More payed to Bushe, of Bury, paynter, for paynting the bore's head with sondry colours, ii s - " And again, in Nicholls's Progresses of Elizabeth, or his Leicestershire, under Christmas Day, 1562, we have this minute — " Dinner, a fair and large boar's head on a silver platter, napkins, trenchers, spoons, and knives at every table."f So much for " Usher Hall." There are other ancient buildings in this neighbourhood on which I could expatiate with pleasure, especially " Lumb Hall," re- markable once for its fine " Oriel " window, and where I once saw a stand for arrows, &c, but I must restrain myself. Barbarous, immoral, and poor, however, as this part of the country has been for above a century, it was once a choice situation. There is now only one other dwelling which merits notice, and this is a cottage. This cottage which is, I think, the furthest on the Moor, and on the right from Adwalton to Birstal, is very different in its structure from Slack's cottage at Morley. It is of lath and plaster, and consists of but one low storey, as that originally has done ; but here we have a hut " gallowsed " at the ends (to use a Yorkshire term) and having the rigtree, or top beam of the roof, supported by this gallowsing, or chiefly so. Upon the roof of this cottage a boy sat and saw the Battle of Adwalton Moor, a fact which John Barrowclough, a very aged man, used often to relate,} whose mother knew this person very well; and through this channel it has reached me, that the Earl of Newcastle's troops came out upm the Moor over that high ridge where there are now collieries of Aliss Whiteleg. The soldiers of \ Blount's Tenures, by Beckwith, p. 24:5. Gentleman's Magazine. 1820, page 299. Gaze's I lent; rave, L92; Ts' icholl's Progresses. See further —Hone's Every Day Book, vol. 1, p. 11)20. Table Book, vol. 1, l». 890. t My conjecture is that the "Boar's Head and Mustard " gave way to the "Call's Head and Brains." A dish very common still on the 80th of January. " The Calves' Head Club " nourished in London till some part of the last century, and there was, probably, the brains ; which is more than can be said for all associations, so far as their object in meeting is concerned. I For this I have the authority of one of the most truly venerab e men 1 know, and who once accompanied me to the field of Hat tie w Fairfax coining' from Whisket-IIill would approach iu a direction nearly opposite. That this was the hill alluded to by Sir Thomas Fairfax in his Memoirs, as the place where the fight commenced, is manifest not only from tradition, but from a scarce pamphlet, printed in 1G49, and entitled "An historical relation of eight years' services for King and Parliament, done in and about Manchester and those parts, by Lieut. Col. John Roseworm, who writes as follows : — " About July 4th, 1643, the Earl of New- castle with no small force made an angry approach towards Lancashire, our men at Manchester were sent out to oppose his passage. The issue was, our men were beaten at Whisket-IIill, in Yorkshire, and pursued into Lancashire by the enemy, who quickly also possessed himself of Halifax. When I had received this sad intelligence, I informed myself of the nature of the passes by which the enemy could most easily come in upon us, and finding them capable of a sudden fortification, by the consent of the Deputy Lieutenants. I quickly helped nature with art, strengthening Blackstone-Edge and Blacke- Gate, and manning them with soldiers to prevent the Fail's dangerous approach, by which means, being diverted, like an angry storm with a gust, he went to the siege of Hull." Writing upon the year 104:3, " I must not forget," says Mr. Evelyn, "to relate what amazed us on the night of the 10th of March — namely, a shining cloud in the ayre, in shape resembling a sword — the point reaching to the North. It was as bright as the moon, the rest of the sky being very serene. It began about eleven at night, and vanished not till one, being seen by all the South of England." This was ominous at a period when omens were observed and were in- fluential. But now let us come to the Battle of Adwalton Moor — a battle so much more honourable, when rightly understood, to the Parliamentarians, though routed, than to the "Cavalier-." who gained here a short-lived advantage, that 1 cannot refrain from the narrative; first, only premising thai though the former were but a handful of men, com- pared with the latter- -had few cavalry, and no artillery with them, vet, that their defeat was entirely occasioned by treachery and accident. Having previously related the many priva- tions, hardships, and disadvantages of lu- men up to the time of this contest, Sir Thomas Fairfax proceeds thus : — " Hitherto, through God's mercy, we had held up near two years against a potent army : but they finding us now almost tired with continual service, treacherously used be- friends, and wanting many things necessary for support and defence, the Earl of New- castle marched with an army of ten or twelve thousand men to 1 j, and resolved to sit down before Bradford, which was a very untenable place. "Hither my father drew all the force- he could spare out of the garrisons, but seeing it impossible to defend the town otherwise than by strength of men, and that we had not above ten or twelve days provision for so many as were necessary to keep it, we resolved next morning, with a body of three thousand men. to attempt his whole army, as they lay in their quarters three miles off ; hoping, by it, to put him to some distraction, which could not be done any other way, by reason of the unequal numbers. " To this end my father appointed four of the clock next morning to begin our march, but Major General Gifford. who had the ordering- of the business, so delayed the execution of it that it was seven or eight before we began to move, and not without much suspicion of treachery ; for, when we came near the place we intended, the enemy'- whole army was drawn up in battalia. " We were to go up a hill to them. That our forlorn hope gained by heating theirs into their main body, which was drawn up half-a- mile further upon a plain, called 'Adderton Moor.' Wo being all got up the hill, drew into battalia also. — 1 commanded the right wing, which was about one thousand foot, and five troops of horse. Major Genera] Gilford commanded the left wing, which was about Iho same number. — My lather com- manded in chief. •• We advanced through the inclosed grounds till we came to the MoOT, heating the foot that lay in them to their main body. •• Ten or twelve troops of horse charged us in the right wing — we kept the mclofiures, placing our musketeers in the hedges next t<> the Moor, which was : , good avant I who had so few QOrse. " There was agate or open place to the Moor 134 when five or sir might go abreast Here they strive to enter — we to defend it. but after some dispute those thai entered the pass found sharp entertainment, and those who were not OS yet entered, as ho1 a welcome from the musketeers that Hanked them in the hedges. They were all in the end forced to retreat with the loss of Colonel Howard,* who commanded them. " Our left wing was at the same time engaged with the enemy's foot, and had gained ground of them. The horse came down again and charged us, they being- about thirteen or fourteen troops. We defended ourselves as before, but with more difficulty. Many having- gotten in among us were beaten off, but with some loss — Colonel Heme, who commanded that party, was slain. We pur- sued them to their cannon. "Here," continues Sir Thomas Fairfax, "I cannot omit a remarkable instance of divine Justice. Whilst we were engaged with the horse that entered the gate, four soldiers had stripped Colonel Heme naked as he lay on the ground, men still fighting round about him ; and so dexterous w r ere these villains that they had done it and mounted themselves again before we had beaten the enemy off ; but after we had beaten them to their ordnance, as I said, and were now returning to our ground again, the enemy discharged a piece of cannon in our rear. The bullet fell into Captain Copley'sf troop, in which were these four men, two of whom were killed, and some hurt or mark remained on the others, though dispersed into several ranks of the troops, which made it more remarkable. We had not yet martial law among us. This gave me a good occasion to declare to the soldiers how God would punish when men wanted power to do it. "This charge, and the resolution our men showed on the left wing, made the enemy think of retreating. Orders were given for it, and some marched off the field. "Whilst they were in this wavering con- dition. Colonel SkirtonJ desired his General to let him charge once with a stand of pikes, with which he broke in upon our men, and Hi- Liei burled, aa I am credibly Informed, ;it Corby Church, live milea from Carlisle, ana i' the Copleys, of Batley Hail, which family married Into that of the Saviles, of Howley. .My r.-.iM)iis will appear elsewhere. | This name I rasped to be Sturton, and that it was 10 written by sir Thomas Fairfax, and that this Colonel Sturton was* Konian Catholic. One. of Henrietta Maria's Colonels (not being relieved by our reserves, which were commanded by some ill affected officers, chiefly Major General Gifford, who did not his part as he ought to do) our men lost ground, which the enemy seeing pursued this advantage by bringing on fresh troops ; ours, being therewith discouraged, began to fly, and were soon routed. The horse also charged us again. We, not knowing what was done on the left wing, our men main- tained their ground till a command came for us to retreat, having scarce anyway left now to do it, the enemy being almost round about us, and our way to Bradford cut off. But there was a lane in the field ice were in, which led to Halifax, and which, as an happy pro- vidence, brought us off without any great loss, save of Captain Talbot and twelve more that were slain in this last encounter. Of those who fled there were about sixty killed and three hundred taken prisoners." Some years ago I reconnoitred this field of battle, near Adwalton, more times than once, having 1 the foregoing narrative fresh upon my mind; and the impressions then made upon me were committed to writing. Nothing can be more intelligible than the account of the modest and gallant Fairfax, whose accuracy also is not only confirmed by the Memoirs of Capt. Hodgson, and of the Historian Rush- worth, but by others. As some inclosures, however, and many alterations have been made in and near this field since his days, and the lanes are fast disappearing, that our posterity may have an idea of the battle, I shall communicate my gleanings. On the South West side of the Moor is a lane called " Warren's- Lane," which opened upon it, and through which about five or six men might have walked abreast. It leads, with a bending course, Southward, to Oak- well-Hall, the seat of the family of Batt, before-mentioned ; thence it conducts to the bottom of the village of Great Gomersal,§ and so on to the top of what is now the Leeds and EUand Road. It is needless, per- haps, to say that this was the way by which Sir Thomas Fairfax retreated to Halifax, as its very situation indicates as much; besides which we know that soldiers entered Oakwell Hall on the day of the light, and of a person having opened a gate for Sir Thomas on his road to Gomersal. I am more minute in my § This Lane or some one of those leading out of Adwalton Moor was, I have little doubt, the ancient road from Halifax to Leeds, passing through " Neepshaw-Lane," and over the Moor. Such at least has been the tradition, now nearly lost, 135 description of Warren's-Lane, because it enables the inquisitive observer to form the best notion of the fight, and because it already lias disappeared, or soon is likely to be seen no more. The lower part, indeed, or that next Oakwell-IIall, has been long added to the adjoining fields. It was in the inclosures on the North of this lane's top that Sir Thomas Fairfax was posted, having his ex- treme right upon it. On the West side of the Moor is another lane called " Hodgson's-Lane," no doubt from Capt. Hodgson, of Coley-Hall, near Halifax,* to whom and to whose interesting Memoirs I have before referred. It leads to Birkenshaw, and out upon Tong Moor, which, being in the direction of Bradford, was about the line in which the Parlia- mentarians advanced, after having driven the out-posts of the enemy from the summit of Whisket-Hill. Hodgson's-Lane top and the immediate inclosures give us the centre of the line where the battle became general; and it was, no doubt, with a view of breaking this centre, that charges of cavalry were so often made upon it at this place. — Here was "the gate or open place upon the Moor where," as we are told, u five or six might enter abreast." — Here Lord Ferdinando Fair- fax commanded in chief — and here the battle raged with the utmost fury. On the right of Hodgson's-Lane, or still more Northward, is now a windmill, which gives us, very nearly, the post of the treacherous Major General Gifford. Between that part of the Moor which is at the top of the lane and the point opposite this windmill is now a line of cottages just skirting upon the plain. Hereabouts, from what will here- after appear, the tug of war must have been tremendous. That such was the position of the Parlia- mentarians is manifest, upon a review of Sir Thomas Fairfax's narrative, an inspection of the ground, and the traditions and accounts of the villagers. Sir Thomas commanded the " right wing" — " and there ivas a lane" says he, " in the jleld ice were in which led to Halifax, which, as an happy providence, brought us off without any great loss." And again he tells us — " When the command came for us to retreat, there was scarce any way ' From Capt. Hodgson's mention of the "Service Book," which was introduced in Scotland, July 23rd, 1687, and Other particulars, it is to be inferred that he took up arms carh in the Civil War, and hi>> comrade, the Major, very probably did the »me, to do it, the enemy being almost round about us, and our way to Bradford cut off." By what ever way, therefore, old Ferdinando and General Gifford retired to Bradford, Sir Thomas was compelled to retreat by Warren's-Lane to Halifax, as upon any other route he must have been intercepted. Though the Battle of Adwalton Moor is little noticed in our general histories, and though its issue was unpropitious to freedom, it is still worthy of a better pen than mine. The military relics annually found after a lapse of nearly two centuries, and those too in iields which many scores of times have been gone over with the plough, sufficiently indicate the severity of the conflict, while the} r corroborate my account as to the posh ion of the Parliamentarians. In the inclosures on the right of Warren's- Lane, as you enter it from the Moor, many cannon balls of iron and lead — horse shoes of singular forms — grape or cannister shot — bridle-bits with chains — bullets of different sizes — (of nearly all which I have specimens) — have been repeatedly turned up even of late years ; and the same thing may be said as to all the inclosures, till you get a field or two North East of the windmill, when they cease to appear. In the fields North West of the windmill the quantity of bullets dis- covered has been so great that a dozen have been found in one day ; and in a little garden, on the West skirts of the Moor, a woman told me her husband had found scores of them, which had been given to their children for "taws." But though the contest seems chiefly to have been within the inclosures on the West and North West skirts of the Moor, we are not to suppose there was no fighting upon the plain; for Sir Thomas relates (hat the enemy were pursued even to their cannon ; and there is some evidence of this in tho Bwords, pikes, and other things which have been discovered in banks of old inclosures on the East or Adwalton side of it, and the samo articles tell us that there was sharp work between Hodgson's and Warren's-Lane. Such was the Battle of A.dwalton Moor, in which many of those persons whose names are most material to my history, acted a con- spicuous part. One of them, at least, did so, + It appears, from the Rfemoira of the Major*! intimata acquaintance, Captain Bodgaon, that Lord Fairfax camo to Bradford to strengthen bia party, and lamed an Invitation to the country to como in, "at which time." Bajlhe, "many appeared, both bona and foot, and itaidu the arniT. 1 see page 95, aud their reasons for so doing. 136 and that one was Joshua Greatheed, then in the 28th year of his age, and promoted by t old Ferdinando to the rank of Major for his extraordinary energies on this memorable iidd.t— \\ hatever ground there might be complaint against Gifford, or againsl one Major Jeffries, the keeper of the ammunition, "which he treacherously contrived to make away with," or withhold, according to Mr. Lister's testimony, or whatever suspicion might attach to others high in command, none, certainly, belonged to the other officers and soldiers, whose devotion to "the good cause," even under circumstances the most trying, was unimpaired. As to Greatheed (who was probably an officer at this period) he attracted the notice of the whole army.— Where the banners rose and the halberd glittered— where the thunders roared and the lightnings flew— amidst the shouts of battle and the shock of aims, and where death appeared hi its most varied forms, he was observed to rush like one who courted destruction, but had resolved to part with life at the dearest price. Yet, strange to tell ! by that singular fatality, which at such times is often attendant on peculiar daring, " while soldiers fell around, before, behind, and on every side, there was no bullet for him."— But the hairbreadth escapes which he had was evidenced by his hat,} preserved in the family lor above a century afterwards. It had been perforated by two balls, and cut in stripes, upon the brim, by the swords of cavalry.§ It excited, no doubt, the surprise and admiration of thousands. It bespoke the undaunted character of its owner, fighting, as he must have been, in the very thickest of the enemy. Susannah Westerman, mother of Hannah Westerman, of Morley, and who lived as servant to the granddaughter of the Major, used often to talk about this hat, which she well recollected her mistress bringing along with his swords, commission, picture, and other things, to Morley. Other persons too, besides John Westerman, (still living) have told me of this hat in my juvenile days, but alas! although I possess 'the other things, the hat was lost before I came into existence! — 1 fortunately for me my grandfather could sec no value in this grotesque and singular jMr. Owen Scatcherd, aged now about seventy years, informs ine that .e perfectly remembers also a kind of helmet, the ^i,™ urS WaS °i Hteel > » JC 'nfe' shown by his grandmother ntong with the swords, commission, and other things of the i cannot be quite sure whether this was doneonAtherton or on Mftnton-Moor, but tradition reported the former. hat, and never dreamt how different from his own might be the taste of his posterity. The Battle of Adwalton Moor, notwithstand the result, is anion- the number of contests ol these times, which may teach us the vast superiority of moral over mere physical or brute force— of principle and patriotism, over ignorance and servility. Confiding in their immense numbers— their powerful cavalry and cannon — in the treachery of Gifford Jeffries, and others, and the discontent arising from false notions, the Royalist army could assure itself of nothing short of an immediate victory; and yet, after all, it was only achieved by a sort of accident. Their out- posts beaten back upon the main body, twice did they attack with a numerous cavalry, and twice were they driven away to their cannon, leaving their commanders dead upon the held. The little army advanced— the mighty host retired— a general panic had seized'it— "a general retreat* was sounded "—and "troops even had quitted the field"— all, in short, appeared to be over, and the Repub- lican arms were triumphant, when by the fortune of a General Officer on the one side, and the perfidy of some of higher rank on the other, the battle, lost, was recovered. In Watson's History of Halifax it is said that the soldiers (meaning the Republicans) upon their retreat entered Oakwell-IIall in search of Dr. Marsh, a Royalist, Vicar' of .birstal, and afterwards of Halifax, who mar- ried to his second wife a daughter of Robert Batt, the owner of that house. If this account be correct, it must at least be allowed that they behaved well, in neither plundering the house, as the Royalists did llowley-IIall or hurting any one ; but it seems very un- likely that soldiers upon a retreat should have loitered here in quest of an insignificant individual, and that man only a Parson Much more credible is the tradition which* attributes all this to the violence of the Royalist party, against the Republicans suspected to have been concealed there U hatever soldiers they were, the terror of Mrs. Ball, at this time confined « to the Straw," was very great, and so scared was her nurse (hat, snatching up ihe child, she lied with it m haste to Pontefract Sir Thomas Fairfax, I observe ninlrp n ,„«„*• * in.I.vuluals who displayed SSSS^St^SuT^^ wa, doubtless, good pojoy in this, especially at the i berinnE! of the war. Besides, where so many ofa Uttl* iv,,,i } g rto» acted herojealtf it would have MKU^iffi but a few. Betides, too, it was not the custom of las times, 137 Since writing- the above passage I have been informed, on most respectable authority, that the owner of Oakwell-Hall. in 1643, was an officer on the Royalist side, and was at the Battle of Adwalton Moor; and I find mention made of a Captain Batt in Hodgson and Pepyss's Memoirs, f as being in the service of Charles 2nd. Besides, I know, and have stated heretofore, what were the principles of these " blind " but knavish " Batts " under the reigns of James, Charles, and Charles, his son. These reflections incline me to think that there is an anachronism and other blunders in Watson's account. My conjecture therefore is, that Fairfax's troops did, at some time before or after the battle, enter Oakwell- House, not in search, however, for Parson Marsh, but for Captain John Batt, who was then its owner. Marsh, no doubt, married a daughter of Robert Batt, the uncle of John, and Fellow and Vicemaster, at one time, of University College, Oxford; for this narration is not opposed to the pedigree of the family; but then Robert was not the owner of Oakwell Mansion, how often soever he, or his son-in-law, might visit there. Richard Marsh, of Cambridge University, "was Chaplain to Archbishop Laud, and afterwards to Charles 1st. In November, 1644, he had the Deanery of York given him by the King, then at Oxford, in preference of (another sycophant) Dr. Peter Heylin, who endeavoured by his friends to procure^ that dignity. After the Restoration he was again elected to the Deanery, and installed on the 20th of August, 1660, and dying on the 13th of October, 1663, aged 78, he was buried near the grave of Archbishop Hutton." One cannot but perceive by this, among innumer- able other such instances, what all these fellows with their clamour§ about " loyalty " were secretly after ; and here we may gather one reason why Cromwell has been so hated and vilified by men of their cloth. lie cut down monopolies — abolished pluralities — compelled residence — and ejected scandalous Ministers. In short, he allowed the Nation to enjoy a large portion of that benefit which those who wanted more their political ser- vices conferred on them. With him real merit, and merit only, arising from superior t See also Hodgson's .Memoirs, p. 99 ; Ritthworth, vol. ■'•. p. 279 ; Hodgson, p. 180. X As far aa I remember this information was gathered from Wood's Athense. § I might with as much propriety have written "rant," as clamour, for there has been, since the accession of the Tudors at least, a cant h. politics equal to any cant ia religion integrity or talents, was the sure and only road to promotion. Oakwell-Hall. upon which, fortunately, we have a date, 1583, is, even yet, a cu. ious and beautiful mansion. The present owners, Messrs. Wray and Oliver, obtaine 1 it by marriage with the two nieces of one Henry Barker, of Gray's Inn. It seems to have been built by that Henry Batt win pulled down the great bell of Birstal Church, and also the Vicarage-House, converting the materials and produce thereof to his own emolument. From this house to the Church the distance is so short that I must not omit the mention of a few particulars, unnoticed, as far as I remember, by any preceding author. For a particular account of the Church itself — a list of its Vicars, and notices of the chief persons who lie interred within it, I must refer the reader to YVhitaker's Leeds. It is not for me to relate what has been told by others, besides which, my aim throughout this work is to confine myself to matter of amusement or instruction. In a word, I aspire to the honour of having my book read by people of all descriptions, and not regarded witli cold indifference as a dry compilation, or a book only of reference. This beautiful country Church,* with its fine embattled tower of the same age, mani- festly, as that of Batley, has eight excellent bells, lately recast, and a capital organ. For propriety in every respect no Church can surpass it. If there be one subject of regret, I must say it is the substitution of Sunday Scholars, squalling in the gallery, in the place of that fine set of singers, which thirty years ago was the pride of Birstal, and the "envy of surrounding villages." And here, by the way, I would record it that about this time music was at its height in Yorkshire. Many of our country singers were astonishingly conversant with the works of Handel. Boyce, Green, and other great composers. Many were excellent sightsmen — that is. able to sing a piece of music at first sight, especially if the words were known to which that music was adapted. Some, I have known, who The chancel of Hirst. il Church hai been Wr line, but it i- DOW Dearly tilled with pews. On the North side Of the altar or coiniuunion table, U thfl burial place, arcoph&gus, or ohapel of t he Greene, of Uvereedgs (en lento of the \ riles). On the South tide is that which onee hnimnml to Batts, and appurtaini to the Oakwell property, a pereon here lies buried nnder ■ plain il igatone, without • single letter over bini, eitht r from ■ relation or afmnalntaneo 4 — The rendu shall draw his own Inference it Will certainly be correct. '1 he Churufl Of Uirstal is dedicated to >t l'et'T. 138 could sing- upon any cliff — nay, one Ananiah lllingworth, a poor, working clothier, of Morley, had such a talent this way that even the old, obsolete cliffs, pertaining (once) to Church music, did not half so much puzzle hhn as the leading of words. I know not to what other cause than the great increase of organs to attribute the general decrease of musical men, since about the close of the last century ; and yet, at Birstal, there was an organlong before that timet However, it strikes me, that wherever there is an en- couragement to musical men, without musical voices, to study the science, music will more certainly prevail than where such men, by the introduction of an organ, are set aside. The Register of Birstal Church, like those of Batley, Ardsley, and Woodchurch, is remark- ably defective for that period, about which a strong curiosity is ever felt. Not one person did I find in the list of interments who could be supposed to have fallen at Adwalton Moor Fight, so that I am fully persuaded the slain were buried on the plain. It is singular, however, that none of their bones have been discovered ; a circumstance which causes me to think they were thrown into deep pits dug upon the field,J after the usage of preceding centuries. The oldest stones in the Church-yard are two which lie unnoticed on the East side. They have ancient crosses cut in relief upon them, one of which is a sort of wheel cross ; and one of them has the figure of an hour- glass, intended, as I am persuaded, to repre- sent an ancient chalice ; but not a single letter has ever appeared upon them. These stones, beyond a doubt, once lay in the chancel of the Church, over the graves of the early Vicars, and were cast out of it, when the present Church was built, along with others of the same kind, which have been destroyed. One of them, at least, of very high antiquity, has certainly been broken up or converted to some ignoble use. Not far from these slabs is the base of a pedestal, which rustic ignorance would refer to a dial, as in the instance of one at Morley ; but its situation and remains convince me to have belonged to an ancient cross, demolished, without dispute, in Henry the 8th or Edward the 'ith's reign, but more probably in Edward's. t There mav, however, liave been, and probably \\;i*. a fine Bet of singers before the organ, which is not an old one, was introduced. | See Drake's account of Towton Field, and innumerable other authorities It is the fashion of the present age,§ as it was of the last century, to attribute every work of spoliation to the noblest, the bravest, the most generous and patriotic set of men that ever appeared in this our laud, or that any age or nation has produced. These repre- sentations always appear to me the offspring of malevolence, servility, or ignorance; and the more I have read on the subject of our sepulchral monuments and ecclesiastical anti- quities, the more I detest that baseness which would refer the plunder, devastation, and violence of the execrable Tudor dynasty to men of the most opposite character. Not that I would insinuate these patriots to have been absolutely guiltless ; for into some excesses they were, assuredly, betrayed. But, considering their prejudices, their provoca- tions, and the age in which they lived, their forbearance is wonderful, unless it be deemed unpardonable in them to have pulled down the castles — the strongholds of despotism — the seats of aristocracy and petty tyranny throughout the nation. || The stone which has the most ancient inscription of any now visible is on the North West side of the Church. Upon it is engraved IT. R. xxviii July, A.D. 1602. This, which is the most ancient flat gravestone which I ever remember to have seen in a Burial-ground, was found lately with some other old slabs on the West of the belf^ or tower, covered with earth and rubbish. As the Reyners and Hopkinsons were the chief families in the seventeenth century at Birstal, I take it that this stone was for one of the Reyners. The next stone in point of antiquity lies at the South West corner of the porch. It is for one Nicholas Kitson, of Gomersal- Magna, whom it states was buried here the 25th of November, 1643. I notice it because this was scarcely four months after the tremendous battle in the neighbourhood. A noil km- stone, having the inscription com- posed by a celebrated Sessions Lawyer, and which was at Oakwell-IIall, ready cut, and prepared for removal, long before the death of him whom it commemorates, is so curious § There were some bones found at Adwalton four years ago, and thereby hangs a curious narrative, but for some time it may be as well omitted. || 1 often meet with people who attribute the pulling down of the Abbeys— the destruction of the Crosses the destruction of lulls— and robbery of the Churches, to Oliver Cromwell ; not knowing that it was Cromwell, the vile Minister of Henry the 8th, who countenanced these things. To confound two men of such an opposite character, is worse than the blunder of the man who knew no difference between Alexander the Gr»at and Alexander the copper-smith. m that I cannot refrain from noticing it. The name of Fairfax Fearnley will make it in- teresting to a few readers. '• This is to the memory of Old Amos Who was, when alive, for hunting, famous ; But now his chases are all o'er, And here he's earth'd, of years fourscore. Upon this stone he's often sat. And tried to read his Epitaph ; And thou who dost so at this moment, Shalt, ere long, somewhere lie dormant." " Amos Street, of Birstal, huntsman to Mr. Feamley, of Oakwell, departed this life, Oct. 3rd, 1777." Feamley died, if I mistake not, suddenly, at Harewood House, where he was a visitor. It is said he used frequently to fall asleep during the concerts there, which may very well be credited from the above specimen of his deficiency, both as to ear and taste. His memory, however, was great, and by the appli- cation of his talents to one thing only (the Law) he made a considerable figure in these parts for many years. His burial place w T as Hare- wood Church, where there is a tablet — the only thing which commemorates his having once existed. Upon a tombstone on the West side of Birstal Church, is the following inscription : — " Sub hoc Tumulo depositee sunt Exuviae Ricardi Ford de Liversedge Medici suo tempore celeberrimi qui obiit Aprilis XV Anno Dni MDC xci a^tatis GO. Juxta hie jacet Maria ejusdein Ricardi filia quce obiit Feb 4 AD 1694." I am unable to give any account of this celebrated physician or of his family. At the East end of the Church, upon a stone over the window, are the letters I. H. 0. ; and the same may be seen carved on oak wood, under a pinnacle at the North end of the ancient Rectory-House. There has been much dispute among the learned as to the meaning of these letters, which are sometimes I. II. 0.* and at other times I. IE. S. Some writers say they are the initials of Jesus hominum Salvator or Soter — Conservator or Oonditor. Others think the word Jesus is only intended, and say it is the illiterate abreviation of the Greek word IHEOVE, brought by pilgrims from the Holy ' One of the Historians of Pontefract is so little Of U antiquary as to be "set quite fast" with tlie.se ordinary initials. No wonder that he could not make out the age of All Saints (lunch there ; for, though living then on tin he probably never .saw an inscription on a pillar of that Church, which an architect lately found, and was also at a loss to make out. From his drawing and description [conjecture that it was built by the Ouild Of the Holy Trinity, at Ponte fract, in Richard the 2nd's reign, and with this the architecture of the Church corresponds. Land, where it was thus written, altering the S. or Sigma into C. or Cappa. In this dis- pute, as in that of the travellers about the colour of the chameleon, It seems to me that " all are right, yet all are wrong," — in other words, that sometimes the letters are used in one way and sometimes in another, but generally, I believe, the word Jesus only is intended. That I. II. S. is a contraction for Jesus appears from its being spelt Ihesus, as Nichols saysf it is found upon a bell, cast in 1596 ; and a writer in the Archa3ologia also tells us of a bell on which was inscribed " Ihesus be our speed." Again we meet with instances in which it is coupled with other words and can only signify Jesus, as in the Gentleman's Magazine, for 1803, p. 417, where we read of a motto, " Jesus exaltatio Mea." In all these instances, I. II. S. or I. II. C. clearly signify but that word at the name of which, as we are told, " eveiy knee should bow." Some writers,^ however, pretend to say they have foimd I. H. S. or I. H. C. coupled with the words " et P. C," and, if this be so, we must, undoubtedly, read it Jesus hominum Salvator, et Pacis Conditor. But, really, I believe, if the truth were declared, their "et" would be "x," and, if so, every antiquary knows that X. P. C. or X. P. S. being Christus, 1. H. C, X. P. C. is Jesus Christ, which brings us back again to my favourite interpretation. One of our best antiquaries — Watson, (lie Historian of Halifax, informs as that in domestic buildings these letters were put up as an antidote against I lie power of witch- craft, and this is confirmed by an authority in the ArchaBologia.§ From their being found, however, in all parts of OUT sacred structures, 1 have no doubt that their efficacy was believed to extend much further than is sup- posed. These letters are found not only on bells|| but on ancient Romish vestments— cushions — hinges of doors — pews — fonts — windows — lamp-; — coins — cenotaphs — rings — purses or pouches — swords — armorial bearings — conse- crated wafers — chalices, and other ancient , Eistorj of Leioeatenhire, vol. •_', pari i. p. 186— 197. nUeman'a M agudne fur 1788, p. osi. I Vol 20, p. 521 Vol ;;, ,,. 819; WhitaUi'.s Leedf, rol. •_», p, 828. II Nlohola bin, roL t, part I, i<. ljc— n*7. /Lrobjoologlftj vol. 20, i». MU, UA things innumerable.? The agency of witches and other invisible powers of a malignant nature, was indeed the perpetual theme and terror of our remote ancestors, who used amulets, rings, bells, and exorcisms, to pro- tect them from the supposed danger. The Romish Priests, for evident, reasons, en- couraged the delusion — a curious specimen of their craft is inserted in the appendix.** On a brass plate near the small South door of the Church, and against the wall of it, is this inscription : — " Tlie jacet spe resurrectionis Elizabeth Uxor Francisci Popeley Generosi — Mulier singulari Virtute — dnas reliquit Filias — Monumentum hoc Maritus posuit charissimre memoriae pia3 conjugis — Obiit tricessimo die Mensis Decembris, Anno. 1632." On each side of the figure of this Mrs. Popeley, cut in brass, are those of her two daughters, kneeling in the attitude of prayer. " These kind of representations," says Mr. Gough, in his capital work, the " Sepulchral Monuments," "did not commence till after the Reformation ;" but with due deference to so respectable an authorit} r , I remember well to have found an instance under Henry the 7th's reign, and I doubt not my ability to refer to it when more at leisure. The only tomb in the interior of the Church which I shall notice, has the following in- scription : — u Hie compositi Cineres Johannis Batt, nuper de Oakwell, in Agro Eboracensi Armigeri qui 6 t0 - I damn Junii, Anno. Eera3 Christianas, 1707, setatis 43 tis - morti occubuit." This John, the last male of this family, is the only one of whom meution is made in the burial place. A strange circumstance, indeed, when the pedigree, wealth, connections, and consequence of that family is considered. I can only draw the inference from it which I have arrived at, as touching the Copleys of Batley. There is one curiosity connected with Birstal Church which I cannot pass over in silence, though other antiquaries have done so, being probably unacquainted with its former uses, and the design with which it was built ; 1 mean that singular ancient Shed which is at the South West entrance of the •f See the Gent.'s Mag. for 1792, 1703, 1S0C. 1S07, 1811, etc. Qoagh'fl BepnlchL Moms. vol. 1, p. 189. Fosbroke, vol. 1. ]>. 882 128. Wliitakur's Whallcy, vol. 2, v. 886. Arch;<:ol. vol. 16, p. 110. I have authorities for all these things— too many to quote. *' See Appendix, No. 4. Church-yard, surmounted with balls and stands. This, I would inform the reader, is an ancient Lich or Corpse-Gate, of which I saw two specimens last year, in Westmore- land and Cumberland; but, generally speak- ing, they are very great rarities now-a-days. The word Lich is the Saxon* word for corpus or body, hence Lichfield, which signified the field of corpse or dead bodies. At these Sheds or Corpse-Gates, in Catholic times, the corpses were set down and the mourners rested under a covering, which was designed, no doubt, to protect them against rain and heat ; for which latter purpose too, there were anciently trees near the place. Here the Minister, who was so directed by the Rubric, met the corpse at the " entrance of the Church-yard."^ The private or foot-path entrances into Church-yards, in ancient times, was generally by a Turnstile,! and I question whether the Lich-Gate was ever without one. In the accounts of the Churchwardens of St. Mary's, Leicester, given by Mr. Nicholls, (I think) we have this entry. " Paid for a board (or plank) for a Turn- stile, 4d." Sketches of these Lich-Gates and Turnstiles the reader may find in Mr. Hone's "Table Book," vol. 1, p. 417. Vol. 2, p. 271. I have only to add further on this subject my hopes, that the future Vicars and Churchwardens at Birstal, will never allow their little antique and curious Lich- Gate to be demolished, to make way, per- chance, for a pair of clumsy, unappropriate farm-yard posts, such as we now see at Beeston, in the place of a fine arch, which was the only ornament of that village. From Burton's Monastacon, it appears, that William de Wartre, the fourteenth Prior of Nostel, and who died in 1291, purchased the advow r son of this Church, which was a Rectory belonging to the patronage of the family of the Tyllys, till the 3rd of February, 1280. Master Thomas de Dalton, then Rector, w^ith the consent of Robert Tylly, patron thereof, presented Ralph Liversedge to the Vicarage of the same, which Wick- wam, Archbishop of York, ordered to be taxed as Burton specifies; but on the 25th of •See Notes to Bosworth's Grammar, p. 104; Fosbroke's Encyclopedia, and the Gentleman's Magazine for 1804, p. 740. t Bishop Sparrow, in his " Rationale upon the Book of Common Prayer," says "The Priest meeting the corpse at the Church stile," &c p. 305. t As an antiquary I feel rather alarmed, perceiving that the stonemason is "abroad" at Birstal; as may be seen by the gatc-posta on the North side of the Burial-ground. 141 September, 1300, Thomas Corbridge, Arch- bishop of York, appropriated it to the Prior and Convent of Nostel, who, of course, held this living till the dissolution of Monasteries. Some of the foundations of houses once inhabited by these " religious " can be still traced, and certain closes still called " Monk Ings," of about twenty acres extent, still attest their former residence, near Birstal. I cannot quit this parish without noticing a spot which will be interesting as long as science, literature, and individual worth shall be respected — I mean " Field-head." Here, in a miserable room twelve feet six inches long, by six feet six inches wide, and the same about in height, having but a single small window, leaded, and glazed with little diamond " quarrels," was born the celebrated Dr. Priestley— celebrated, I say, but not merely so in his own country, like many of our eminent men, but celebrated for his dis- coveries, his talents, and his learning, through- out the civilized world. It is not for me to write of the Doctor and his times, but I would refer my readers, with some solicitude, to the narrative of the last illness of this illustrious man, as published by his son. To me it has always appeared to be distinguished from any scene of the kind I ever read of. It seemed more like the exit of a patriarch than of a modern. For dignity, it reminded one of a Jacob ; for philosophy, of a Socrates or Plato; for piety and resignation, of a Stephen. He called his children and grand- children around his bed, directed that a chapter in St. John's Gospel should be read, accosted them in the most elevated and affecting manner, and expired as one having " a good hope through faith." He abandoned no principles — he manifested no presumption — he betrayed no fears — he expressed no regrets for any wilful errors of his past life — nor is this at all surprising ; for who ever heard of an accusing conscience where no guilt upbraids ? who ever heard of the death- bed repentance of a dying saint ? who ever heard of a man, like Priestley, deserting opinions so acquired,|| so matured, so settled, and and so consolatory ? ||Dr. Priestley's parents and family were all of the Calvan- istic persuasion, and he was carefully educated in those principles, but he soon renounced them. Much sooner than the celebrated Robert Robinson, who preached his last sermon in the Doctor's pulpit. GILDER SOME Etymologies are sometimes far fetched and absurd, — sometimes ludicrous. The reader will not, I trust, consider mine so in regard to the word Gildersome, as I am not without vanity in my present conjectures. Gildersome, as I take it, should be written Guelderzoom. It is a Dutch word. — Zoom, in that language signifies hem or seam, and metaphorically, a border or boundary. Guelderzoom, therefore, when properly trans- lated, signifies nearly the same as if the word be construed Gueldersham ; that is, it means the village boundary or district of Guelders. Now, to prove the corruption of this word — to show the reader that the word Gulder- zoom would, in England, be certainly con- verted into Gueldersome, I refer him to Stowe's Annals, for instance, where, in page 1224, he will find that the word Bergen-op- Zooml" is written Bergen-ap-Some. Here, then, is a convincing proof that the termina- tion "Some," has been Zoom. — Now then for the " Guelders." No word like Gildersome occurs in Domes- day Survey of these parts. The term clearly sprang up at a far later period, and may, perhaps, owe its origin to persecution for conscience sake ; for, although we find from history, that two weavers from Brabant, settled at York, 1331, which Edward the 3rd accounted " of great benefit to himself and his subjects ;" and although trade was evi- dently upon the advance in our cities and chief towns, especially from this period :* yet to the persecutions of the Protestants in the low countries, especially by the Duke of Alva, and the fortunate encouragement of them by Elizabeth, we owe the chief population and trade; of those spots in this vicinity, which have at length become large villages. I take it, therefore, that Gildersome was first called from these emigrant traders, who here found on asylum, Hying from Guelderland, about the year L571, or souk; time before it. •|I'.crgcn-nj)-Zoom is the hill upon the Znom (i.e.) boundary or border. Bee the Gentleman's Magazine for 17-17, pag< I take] the liberty to refer here to R I miall Tract which [ pub- lished last year, OH " Ancient Bridges and Chantry Chapels upon them," and which f flatter myself, may amuse au antiquary who has not pees it, I am only aware of one objection to this, my favourite hypothesis, and that relates to the period when these Guelders or Gelders settled here and gave the place its name. It is, however, an objection of some weight, and it long inclined me towards another etymology. " In the Coucher Book of Nostel," says Dr. Whitaker, fo. 344, " is a perambulation of the parish of Batley. The village of Courlewell," (Churwell) says this book, "is situated within the limits of the Church of Batley. — Secondly, the boundary of the parishes of Leeds and Batley, is described to be a certain river descending between the Wood of Farnley and the Wood of Gilders, (Gildersome) as far as the hospital of Beston." Guild signifies " a society or corporation — a company or fraternity,")" combined to- gether by orders and laws made among them- selves, and by the Prince's license ;" and a certain author will have it, as apparent from the ancient Guilds established for the manu- facture of woollen cloth, that this kingdom, in early times, greatly flourished in that art. Now, this society or fraternity were, un- doubtedly, Hollanders, and came from the part called Guelderland ; and the mention of such a people in the Coucher Book, written, if I mistake not, about Henry the 5th's reign, undoubtedly proves that they had settled at Gildersome, at a much earlier period than has been stated. A period, in fact not much later than Edward the 3rd's reign. In Thorpe's Catalogue of 1827, page 105, No. 1385, I find a book with this title. " Mary, of Nemmegen." "Here begynnith a lyttel story that was of a trewthe done in the lande of Gclde.rs.\ of a niayde that was named Mary, of Nemmegen, that was the Dyvel's paramoure by the space of seven yere long, &c. imprinted at Antwerpe." t " There was a Fraternity or Guild, in Richmond, founded to the praise of Cod, and honour of St. John Baptist, the ancient mode of forming a society of merchants of particular trades, before the plan of chartered companies in corporations was adopted." Clark-son's ltichmond, 225. I From a passage in Ellis's Letters, it seems evident, that in the time of Henry the Sth, a Dutchman was called a Odder — •• Geldroia," See yoI. 1, page 208, First Series, 14.°, Some persons may, perhaps, imagine that these Guelders, Gelders, or Gilders, were not manufacturers, but Geldherds, who, as ap- pears from the Compotus of Bolton Abbey, were u Pastores sterilium aniinalium," — that is to say, a sort of graziers or servants to them; as tripherds, were keepers or over- lookers of goats ; calveherds, of calves ; cowherds, of cows ; lambherds, of lambs ; and shepherds, of sheep. This, however, is not my opinion, as I am fixed by the ter- mination " some," which I can make sense and consistency of by rendering it zoom, but nothing at all of, upon any other supposition. There is a place called Gildersbar, about six miles South East of Skipton, and in the parish of Addingham. Now bar or " bargh " in the ancieut Yorkshire language. is "a steep horseway," and whoever looks with the eye of an antiquary into a good map, will see that the name of Gildersbargh arose from the road, the " pack and prime " way, which these Guelders.§ with their packhorses and cloth, made in their journeys to the North, by Addingham and Skipton. Whatever sort of people the Guelders or clothiers of Gildersome were, under the reigns of the Plantagenets or the Tudors. it is evident to me that early in the seventeenth century, there were some very respectable and opulent families residing here. The Manuscripts, the Deeds, and other evidences before me, clearly discover this fact ; but, alas ! little more than the names of them have supplied me with the materials for history. The reader will remember a few of these names. The Greatheeds — the Smiths — the Crowthers — the Reyners — and the Dickensons — to whom may be added, the Hargreaves — the Websters — the Tar- boltons — the Woods — and the Scots. I shall say little of the present inhabitants, nor yet of the " life and fortune " men of Gilder- some, of the latter pail of the Last century — of j>eople whose political and religious opinions bore an affinity to those of the old natives. No ! It is of the soldiers of Crom- § " Warburton says that many of the weavers in Oueen Elizabeth's days, were Flemish Calvinlsta, who fled from the persecutions of the Duke of Alva, and were particularly given to singing Psalms, {fare's Glossary Art. " Weavers." •' In 1886, Edward 3rd introduced the Dutch, who were masters in the manufactory of curious drapery. l'rior to this, our countrymen knew no more what to do with wool, than the sheep that wear it. their best clothes I. better than freezes. Fuller b. 4, p 8 On mature reflection, lam of opinion that theGuelders settled at Gildersome, in this reign of Edward the 3rd, or soon after well, of Fairfax, or of Lambert, that I would write — of men who fought and bled for the liberties of their country, and filled the world with the fame of British valour and patriotism. It was in their day that Pym and Hampden — Falkland and Selden — Vane and Cromwell sat on benches, in the House of Commons. It was to such men as these that the most learned Foreigners and impartial Historians alluding, have said, that " the English of the times of Marlborough, even, were no more to be compared to them, than the Monks, and the Cardinals of Koine were to the ancient Scipios." These, then, are families whom it is not beneath the dignity of history to mention, since, owing to the generous efforts, the disinterested sacrifices of such as they, the Parliamentary army, " out of weakness, was made strong," — " waxed valiant in fight, and put to flight the armies of the Aliens. j] In these most interesting times — the times of the Commonwealth and Protectorate — there was no disagreement of an} 7 kind among the natives of this village. Such as were the people of Morley. such also were those of Gildersome. Their religion, their habits, occupations, and sentiments were alike, and they were all united in one fold, under the Puritan Pastor at Morley. There was then no Church, Chapel, or Public Meeting at Gildersome, but the inhabitants came hither on the Sabbath-day, on horseback or on foot, over narrow, rugged roads, or miry footpaths, with surprising regularity. The first division in religious concerns at Gildersome was occasioned by a few Quakers who established a society here in the early part of Charles the 2nd's reign. Next came the Anabaptists, who built a small Meeting- Plouse, about the year 1717, — then followed the Churchmen, who about 177 1 erected a Chapel with a front* like the face of a stone quarry, and with angles in abundance; one of the ugliest buildings <>t" \\< kind, perhaps, in the kingdom, but once tolerably lightsome within. Last of all came the Methodists, who but a very few years ago have sprang up in this village. The most, ancient housesin Gildersome are, evidently, of the reign of Charles 2d. One of || Besides placemen, p I other stipeadiariee, it appears that the " Popish Queen" of Charles the i-t, brought overman; Foreign cut-thi igland, and plenty of ammunition but. on ier, most of them met with their de i Perhaps, it may !>«■ said, that the side next the road u th« back part— be it so.— This is the part 1 alhulo to. 144 them, and that not the oldest, has over its doorway the inscription "Henry Scott, 1G85." This man, as I find from a copper token which, fortunately, ifl mine, was iii the wool or woollen trade. His coin has on its obverse side ••Henry Scott, Gildersnm, neer," in an outward circle, — and in the inner a pair of scales with the words " strike light — weigh right." On the reverse side and outer circle is, " Leeds I will exchange my peny " — the inner circle shows a woolpack, with the date 1670. I do not suppose that this token was generally payable at Leeds, but at Gilder- some, "neer" Leeds, though Scott may possibly have had a drysalters or wool- stapler's warehouse at both places. It was at one of these ancient houses, still standing, and situate between Gildersome- Hall and the house of Mr. Hudson, but much nearer to the latter, that the Quakers held their first meetings. Afterwards they re- moved to a Meeting somewhere in view of the Hall; but this being regarded as a nuisance by a Mr. Maude, then owner of this house, he proffered, I believe, to build them a Meeting, or give them sufficient land near it, on condition of their giving up the pro- perty so near his. This proposal they accepted, and once more shifted to the retired situation which they now occupy. There are some things so singular in the conduct of this eccentric people that I cannot forbear to notice them. The first relates to their former Burial-ground, which may be seen enclosed and long planted all over with trees on the side of the Leeds and Elland Road, between Morley and Bruntcliffe. How they came to fix upon this place of sepulture, remote as it is from Gildersome, nobody, per- haps, now living can tell — for my own part I can only resolve it into one of those whimsies which I am about to mention. This Burial-ground, of whomsoever pur- chased, was conveyed to the Quakers by William Midgley, William Cundall, and John Sutton, clothiers, all of Morley, by Deeds of Lease and Re-lease, dated the 8th and 9th of September, 1681) ; and the Quakers, with the approbation, no doubt, if not license of George Fox and their other leaders, now put up stones or laid slabs, with the inscriptions to the memory of their departed brethren. But this was a practice too conformable to the ideas and feelings of allf other people to be long endured. When it was abandoned I never could ascertain accurately, but that it took place near the beginning of the eighteenth century appears probable. In their present Burial-ground, which they have held seventy or eighty } r ears back, the Quakers do not seem to have laid a single stone for the pur- pose of memorial — I say for the purpose of memorial, or as a tribute of affection, or respect to the memory of departed relatives, because they have laid gravestones, and but a few years ago. Yes, reader! — they have removed the slabs from the old cemetery, near Morley, and such of them as are not broken to pieces, or studiously and carefully put out of sight, you may chance to find in a pantry or a cellar, or turned edgeways for the edging of a causeway, as though their delight was, not only to baffle all future researches, but to stifle every tender and sentimental feeling. Two of these stones, however, have, by accident, been seen lately, by myself, having been preserved, from thrifty and penurious motives. One of them, a cellar stone, bears the date 1696, — the other just eligible ex- hibits, above ground, the figures 1667. The names of the deceased were beyond my ken. To me, it is evident, that there has been, and still is, a design to suppress the record of such memorials having ever been sanctioned amongst the Quakers. What could be the motive of this people for abandoning one of their first usages, if it has not been declared before, it is difficult to conceive or ascertain, as they are, from ignorance or from policy, remarkably cos- tive in their speech, and usually ask a question when they should return an answer. Few of them, I believe, know the true reason ; and for others they do not choose to converse on certain topics of their peculiar persuasion, because, peradventure, they understand the value of mystery as well as other orthodox people. The only reply which I have ever obtained is this stupid one, " We pay no honour to any." It would be folly to say anything about " Tribute to whom Tribute," &c. to those who, like other " Elect" people, are favoured by heaven with more visitations or extra- ordinary impulses than some of the wisest and best of men have ever pretended to enjoy ; but one would really be happy to learn what t Even the Moravians put down small stones with initials and some little more. Thus they put M. S. or S. S. for married or single sister ; but they might as well do with- out any memorials, for any other information which the stone* convey. L45 impropriety there is in putting- a name and a date upon a plain stone? if the voice of flattery was ever yet known to reach " the still cold ear of death ?" if the kindliest feel- ings of man were better extinguished than encouraged ? if the worst construction should be put upon an act which may not merely be innocent, but laudable ? In a word, if the argument of abuses arising out of uses, (the great fallacy of these folk) was ever worth a straw? Whatever be the case, if these people would but immitate Fox in fasting-s, in solitude, and other austerities, we should be better able to appreciate their consistanc} T , whatever might be thought of their under- standings. The Catholic religion and the system of Wesley, appear to me to be founded on the most crafty policy — in the deepest knowledge of human nature ; of which quackerism, on the other hand, betra} T s the most contemptible ignorance. It seems fitted neither for the savage nor the sage — for the clown — or the philosopher. It is a desert in which we meet with nothing, whatever, to elevate the mind — satisfy the ear — captivate the eye — kindle the affections — delight the fancy, or to sum up all in a single phrase, take pos- session of the heart. That it should have existence at the present day, can only be accounted for from the common attachment of children to the sentiments of their fore- fathers, and a love of singularity, from which other people, besides Quakers, are not exempt. It would suit my own inclination better, perhaps, than that of some readers for whose sakes I abstain, were I to shew the influence which Quakerism would have 'upon society, were it generally prevalent ; rather let me be indulged with extracts from high authorities. " It cannot be expected," says Neale, "that such an unsettled people should have an uniform system of rational principles. Their first and chief design, if they had any, was to reduce all revealed religion to allegory; and, because some laid too great stress upon rites and ceremonies, these would have neither order, nor regularity, nor stated seasons of worship, but all must arise from the inward impulse of their spirits. Agreeably to this rule, they declared against all sorts of settled Ministers; against people's assembling in Steeple- Houses ; against fixed times of public devotion; and, consequently, against the observation of the Sabbath. Their own meetings were occasional, and, when they met, one or another spake as the^y were moved from within, and sometime; they de- parted without any one being moved to speak at all. The doctrines they delivered were as vague and uncertain as the principles from which they acted. They denied the scriptures to be the only rule of their faith, calling it a ' dead letter,' and maintaining that every man had a light within himself, which was a sufficient rule. They denied the received doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation — disowned the Sacraments of Baptism, and the Lord's Supper ; nay, some of them proceeded so far as to deny (using their own language.) a Christ, without them, or at least, to place more of their dependance upon a Christ within." " They spake little or nothing," sa} T s Baxter, " upon depravity of nature, about the covenant of grace ; about pardon of sin or reconciliation with God, or about moral duties ; but the disturbance they gave to the public religion for some years, was so insufferable, that the Magistrates could not avoid punishing them as disturbers of the peace ; though of late, they have be- come a more sober and inoffensive people, and b} r the wisdom of their managers have formed themselves into a sort of body politic, and in general are very worthy members of society." It appears, from Burton's Parliamentary Diary, that during the Protectorate of Crom- well, •• a petition to his Highness and the Parliament, was presented from the Justices of the Peace. Ministers, and others, well- principled inhabitants of Leeds. ^Wakefield, Bradford, &C.* They represented, that these populous places and parts adjacent are, and for a long time past have been, miserably perplexed, and much dissettled by that unruly sect of people, called Quakers, whose principles are to overturn Magistracy, Ministry, Ordin- ances, all that which good men would keep up by their prayers and endeavours. The approved Ministers of the nation they deny to be Ministers of Christ. The Ordinances used in our public assembles arose," say they, " from the bottomless pit — sermons, the in- vention of fallen man and their traditions. It is these men's common practice to meet by hundreds m. or near to our places of public worship, on purpose to disturb the Preacher and people assembled : causing, and speaking all manner "f evil against those things that Can anything be mora inminciiiK and unexceptionable than such a document *-> toll " 146 all sober minds deem good, to the great terror of some, and no small trouble to other Ministers."* I should not have noticed these matters so much at length, but that I find these same people are much in the habit of abusing Cromwell, merely because he restrained their insolence, and have the effrontery to talk about their " sufferings " under his govern- ment. I am determined therefore to "serveup*' in true colours, the characters of their forefathers. The present Anabaptist Meeting-House, was built about fifty years ago, when Mr. Ashworth was the Minister. At this time there lived at the house now occupied by Mr. Buttrey, in Gildersome Street, a man, whom I well remember, and who, from his business was called " Painter Watson." This man was employed to paint the Chapel ; and being equally vain of his abilities, and emu- lous to astonish the natives, he so decorated the ceiling with angels, and archangels, cheru- bims, and seraphims, that if the Baptists had but possessed the feelings of their painter, they might certainly have enjoyed on the next Sabbath, some kind of foretaste of celestial bliss. Unluckily, however, for the painter, their ideas were of a grosser kind than his ; for their sudden introduction into a society so new ; or the wish for a little preparation or respite; or the dread of ridicule from others, or some other reason, which the artist, at least, could never imagine: one thing or other so overcame them, that on the day of assembling they were, not trans- ported, but thunderstruck, and the celestial choir were banished by a rude whitewasher. In a former page, I mentioned the inter- ment of an old Pastor of this flock, of the name of Booth, at Morley, but knew little respecting him at that time. He was, I believe, a woollen cloth manufacturer as well as minister, and received his salary in part, in so curious a way that I will mention it, just to show the simple manners of our country- men only eighty years ago. About this time the spimiing of wool was done by the hand, but already had machinery for this purpose come into use ; and a person at Huddersfield by means of it did much work all the country round. Now spinners were as necessary to Mr. Booth in his trade as auditors were to his ministry, and if this worthy man tended the fold on the Sabbath, giving his "charge " two or three of Bishop * Dairy, page 442. See Godwin's History of the Common- wealth, vol. 4,page 313. Tilson's "good fotherings," and probably working with his " flail" at other times, it surely was but reasonable that he should enjoy his " hire," or an equivalent. Now as some of his people were too poor to pay in money, and some could not spin wool, as well at least, perchance, as the Parson could his texts, they remunerated him in what was called " Spinner's siller," — that is to say, they allowed him so much out of their collections as would pay for the spinning of his wool at Huddersfield. As Mr. Booth was not only a sensible but a very excellent man — one who delighted in peace and amity, and was regarded by all denominations as the common pacificator in his village : and, as his auditory was not great, I really believe they had " the better of the bargain" in retaining him; although it is doubtful whether with the ' ; spinner's silver" he would have made "ends meet," had he not, with another Minister, supplied alternately at Rawden. It was this circum- stance which led to his being interred at Morley ; for, to prevent any altercation between the two " Churches," he directed his remains to brought to Morley, unwilling to show any preference between those whom he sincerely loved. Between Mr. Booth and Mr. Aired, I have reason to think, there was the same cordiality which has ever subsisted between the Baptists and Presbyterians. The Chapel of the establishment at Gilder- some was erected through the instrumentality of a Mr. Turton, who lived at the NewhalL and of a Mr. Sharp. These families have long left Gildersome. Mrs. Sharp was sister to the late celebrated Mr. Hey, of Leeds, — a gentleman whom I can never think on with- out those feelings which are befoie expressed. To return again to the subject of the old houses, the most ancient one, as it appears to me, is that nearly opposite this Chapel. It was, certainly, built either by Major General Greatheed or by his son Samuel; but I believe by the latter. The barn and buildings, however, behind it being much more ancient, were probably erected by the Major, as he lived hereabouts in the Civil War. The wood also, at a little distance, still called "the Major's spring,"* was certainly his sometime * There is to this [day an opinion, at Gildersome, and it raged during the last century, that the old Major's spirit walks by night hereabouts. This is preposterous ; for if any spirit were sent to this world it would be for a good purpose, and none would be half so likely to be commissioned as the Major's immortal contemporaiy, " Oliver." 147 before 1648. Whether it has been " Silva pastura" (Native Wood) and part of the Wood of Gilders cannot now be determined, but at this period it is said to have been in . extent six acres. In an early age, I presume, from the woody skirts and coppices which lie to the Eastward of it, that they constituted, with Farnley Wood, one vast forest, divided only by the rivulet, which is noticed both by Hollinshed and by the Nostel Manuscript. The Old Hall was built by one of the Dick- inson family.| It is a house of no great antiquity, evidently displaying more of the clumsy architecture of William the 3rd's reign than of any other. The finest house, incomparably, which Gildersome ever had in it, was the house of Mr. John Smith, formerly mentioned, and which was pulled down in 1748 to make way for an insignificant dwelling occupied now bj' widow Halstead. The out-buildings which were appurtenant to the old mansion still remain, as is the most curious, ancient bed- stead I ever beheld. Besides a variety of allegorical figures upon its cornices, there are cut upon the backboard and panels, in fine relief, the figures of the Apostles, of Christ, and of his Mother. This, which was but one of the fine bedsteads of Mr. Smith, who died in 1643, or of his son, the Trustee of Morley Chapel, in 1650, is believed to have belonged to Major Greatheed,:f and by his daughter Alice it may, certainly, have got into the Smith family. The property of the Smiths was finely situated, commanding, amongst other objects, a beautiful view of Leeds and of the adjoin- ing villages. It was well wooded. One of the noblest oak trees I ever beheld was lately cut down near the house. It was memorable as having been the oak to which Mr. Wood, a former owner of the property, fled from a bull of his own, which suddenly turned furious and killed him upon the spot; and it was at this time, and consequent upon this event, that the annual feast or wake was established at Gildersome. Not many years back there were in this village several cottages of the early and middle part of the seventeenth century, which have now disappeared. They were none of them built upon the plan of Slack's cottage t "I and H. D." that is, John and Hannah Dickinson, are upon the front. t The family tradition is, that this was Major Greatheed's bedstead. Any one, however, may see that some considerable person has occupied it. at Morley, but all of them were like the cot- tage on Adwalton Moor. , I regret, exceedingly,' the destruction of these cottages — they contributed something to the village in a picturesque view — they told a tale of other times — they were con- secrated by recollections which threw a veil over their " inelegance" Lowly, unpretending, and inexpensive, but firm and independent, like their first owners, long did they triumph over the pelting storm and ' the wintry blast. They arose in an age in which pauperism was relieved, not by eight millions in the year, but by a few thousands ; when labourers were, perhaps, poorer, but much more con- tented, happy, and grateful than they are now — when the thoughts of a poorhouse was more dreadful than is that of the treadmill — when the peace of a neighbourhood was seldom disturbed by wanton injuries and private malice — when liberty was more dear than life. It was during this sera of grandeur and national glory that Tradesmen's tokens were first seen : I have a fine collection of these old monies, yet I can but find Henry Scott issuing them here, and Richard Chester at Batley. From what I have seen, however, it appears that each of our neighbouring villages had its little mint. The privilege of coining these copper half- pennies, Mr. Drake says, was obtained under " the Usurpation;* which, at first sight, does not seem improbable, as in fact the most real liberty was enjoyed, and the best deeds were done in those days; but, unfortunately for his credit, they appear to have been current a few years earlier. Another malignant, possessing the spirit without the talents of Drake, and admitting that they were issued in 1649, says — "it shews that the patriots of those days gave this as one proof of release from the royal prerogative." In a former page I made a remark which cannot be too often repeated — namely, that it is one of the low and common artifices of men of the cavalier spirit and principles, to confound with the transactions of the Pro- tectorate those of other times; and when they cannot revile Cromwell, their shift is to revile the Government which preceded his. In order to shew them up once more I will trespass on the reader's indulgence for a few moments. *On account of this expression, I am not'sorry that Drake got well bitten by one of his own squad, See Gent, 's Mag. vol. 99. p. 516. us Oopper coins, wo are told, were Bret struck iii the reign of Elizabeth, and that those of her successor were put into circulation, my own collection shows. Bui the two first Stuarts, at Least, were not, on some account Of oilier, very partial to this coinage; and we have, therefore, little from their mints beside gold and silver. Wretched pieces ! not at all superior to the niill'd money of the last Tudor. It was, in fact, reserved to the Protectorate of Cromwell to exhibit a coinage as Far superior to theirs as was his character and government. But after the death of Charles the 1st, the period arrived in which a copper coinage became not only necessary, but indispensable ; for, by the celebrated Navigation Act and other wise measures of the Republic, so great a stimulus was given to commerce, that trade could no longer be carried on without this most necessary medium ; and it Avas, there- fore, most kindly and considerately permitted to the people by " the Patriots of those days " to apply a remedy of their own, to a notorious disease. That some benefit accrued to the nation from the issue of these Tradesmen's tokens, will perhaps be admitted, as they were not suppressed before 1G72; that is to say, till about twelve years after the Restoration of the "legitimate" Charles — a circumstance which, of itself, shows that the people of these later da}\s never dreamt of their having been issued for any purpose but that of trade ; and, least of all things, as a proof of any " release from the royal prerogative." In my youthful days I perfectly remember the quarrels, the losses, and general incon- venience which resulted from the sad state both of the silver and copper coinage, but especially of the latter. A large proportion of what was then circulated was base money. and much of the rest might well excite the enquiry, •• whose image and superscription is this ? " It is not for me to state why these plain bits of copper and silver were so long tolerated, but merely to say, that from about 1787 to the close of the century, there was once more a considerable issue of Tradesmen's coin. As to the policy of sanctioning such issues, and still less those of country notes I make no remark ; the fact alone concerns me that such a currency was allowed. Now, as to "Patriotism," with reference either to the present, or past age. or any other age, I would not insult the Republicans of the seventeenth century, by a comparison which would degrade them ;* but, as the same thing has happened in our day as did in theirs, one may surely be allowed to imagine that the tradesmen of each century, have put forth tokens from the same necessity and motives, and nobody but a contemptible sycophant and time-server would insinuate to the contrary. On this subject I have only one thing more to state, which is that in 1720, that is about the time of the South Sea Bubble, the people of Ireland were so inconvenienced for want of a copper coinage, that tickets of tin or leather were used by the chief manufacturers to pay their workmen's wages. v I could adduce innumerable proofs of this, but will only mention one, which the reader may rind as touching the character of Ireton. in Ludlow's Memoirs, or those of the late 0. Cromwell, Esq. , vol. 2, p. 209. He may also imagine what a fine character Henry Ciomwell was, from what Noble relates of him, vol. 1, p. 271. " I will rather," said he, " sub- mit to any sufferings with a good name, than be the greatest man upon earth without it." CHURWELL This village of Churwell, or as it should be written,! Churlewell, has evidently taken its name from its well known spring of water, being the common resort of churles — that is, peasantry. " Cfanrle upon thy eyes I throw All the pow r this charm doth owe." — Shdkspeare. " From this light cause th' infernal maid prepares The country churls to mischief, hate, and wars."— Dryden. It is called, indeed, in the Nostel Coucher Book, the village of " Courlewell," as before is mentioned. Of Churwell, as of many other villages, it may be truly said, that however it may have increased in size, it has decreased in respect- ability since the seventeenth century. This is partly evidenced by written documents, and partly by remains of the architecture of that age. We look in vain now-a-days for the Pickerings — the Brookes — the Burnhills — the Iloldsworths — and such other families as these. Here, no doubt, was born Mr. Pickering, the ejected Minister and Pastor of Morley " Old Chapel." Here also lived Mr. Josias Brooke, an attorney, as I believe, in some practice during the Civil War. In my family papers he is styled clarke, which in its primary sense signifying clergyman (according to the dictionaries then in use) I was at first led to conclude him to have been a Minister of religion, but am now c jnvineed of my mistake. There is at Churwell one specimen of the architecture of Elizabeth's reign, in a part of the buildings occupied by Mr. Morris, a respectable tanner, on which we find a date of 1G04 still remaining. Before quitting this place, as the custom is generally prevalent in all our neighbouring villages. I take occasion to supply an article which ought to have been remembered when writing on Morley. The practice 1 allude i<> is that of singing at funeral-. There is something in this rite 80 savage t The original word, which appears to be " Ceorl," i> Saxon and signified a farmer. " By the laws of Atlnl -tan it un- declared that if ;i Ceorl .should' have full proprietorship of live hides of land, a church and kitchen, a '<<" noil* , a burgbgate seat, and an appropriate office in the king's hall, lie ihould thenceforth be a Thane by right." There is a Kiver Chcrwcll in Oxfordshire which, doubtlc. - ha? taken its name from the same source. and so shocking to every person of reflection and sensibility, that one might reasonably enough conclude it borrowed from Heathens ; but, fortunately, we know it to have been so. This, unquestionably, is one among the many Pagan usages which the Catholic Church intermingled with Christian observances, in very early times, by way of more easily bringing over to Christianity the Northern Nations ; and not only them, peradventure, but even the polished Romans, who appear to have had women called Pneficaa.j whose office was to lament and sing the funeral song, or praises of the dead. This is the way in which, if my memory serves me, our celebrated navigators tell us the idolatrous nations still celebrate the obsequies of their departed chieftains; and. considered as an eulogy or tribute of respect to wisdom and valour, there seems nothing irrational in the exercise. It is the song of Avar and the season of exultation, and as grief and all the tender sympathies are absent, we should regard the chorus as altogether in character. Even Scripture enjoins that " if any one be merry, he shall psalms;" evidently telling us that singing and music are far more appropriate to the "house of mirth" than to that '• of mourning."* That this barbarous usage had crept into the Church at a very early! period there are many evidences ; but there is one which, for propriety of remark, and the rebuke it should afford my fellow-countrymen is so worthy of extraction, that I will here insert it. In a provincial council, held in Scotland, A.D. 1225. it was resolvedl] — That no Lay- man should sin-- at tin- burial or obsequies of the dead. " Item ad fnneia, et exequies Mortuorum Laicorum Cant us vel Choreaas fieri prohibemus, Cum Son deceal de aliorum fletU ridere* sed ibidem DOtiuS de hujUSmodi | idams's Antiquities, p 170. in Russia we are told by i;. Wilson, that there are usually ringing boys in attendance • Then was singing, i find, alio at the Conqueror's funeral, hut this w;i, only Bf Ute Monk~ BtOWe'S Ann.il-. \> ];.; Arohssologla, vol. IS, p. 19. "i "i have heard say," says Old Latimer, ''thai in some places then go with th«- eon) i girning and hearing, as though they wen' to ;t heir baiting, which fchUg, 110 d.o\ibt, is nought." Sermons, folio - 150 dolere." This prohibition implies if to have been a practioein that country, as it certainly was in England. If books were not generally written for the sake of gain, but for information — if it were not much easier to ropy that which has been copied a hundred times before, than to pub- lish the rarities and curiosities of literature, making a close application of the matter to what one sees existing- at the present day amongst Catholics, Protestants, and large bodies of Dissenters, we should have more authors of reputation and more books worth reading. But, alas ! such a work requires the ardour and curiosity of a Hutton — the patience and independence of a Gougli — the learning and talents of a Fosbroke. Ninety- nine out of every hundred authors could no more execute such a work, creditably, than a common blacksmith could make a watch. Besides this, there is one other capital dis- couragement — it would offend the " Catholic." the "Evangelical," and other "Orthodox" people not a little. Seeing, therefore, that the way to popularity and wealth does not lie in this track, and that fictions and piracies are more pleasant to the people and profitable to the pocket, let no man travel it, but he who would delight the antiquary and the scholar, and acquire for himself a posthumous fame. For the amusement, however, of the " knowing ones," I will, without any com- ment of my own. just present him with a few u seeds." The first is the account of the funeral of Sir Thomas Lovel, in 1524, whom it cost the Priests three days to bury. First it was ascertained by the astrologers.* that the day on which he died, being the 25th of May, the dominical letter was B. Next he was embalmed and leaded, and taken to his Chapel, <»f Holy-well, where he remained eleven days, having masses and dirges sung} for hi ni every day. lie was next removed to his parish Church in great state. There the whole of (he procession " were regaled with comfits, spicebrede, and ippocras. %i % The remainder of the account of all this festivity — drinkings, singing, and pomp, the reader may find in Ly sons' e London, vol. 2. p. 296. Nothing material could then be done without consulting astrologers, to whom our Kings and great people were per- petuallj referring. I Adams's Antiquities, p. ir<;; Wilsons Arohfeological Dictionary, art. ''funerals, [bed, p. 186, etc. I Bippocras was s medicated drink composed of white <>r r^i wine, with the addition of sugar ana ipices, > •■'losinrj-. The next is the account of the interment of Lord Bray, in the same work, from which I select the following passages : — ••Then Richemond, the Herald, bade the j trayer as followeth. For the soul of the Right Honorable John Brave. Knight, late Lord Bray, of your charytie, say a pater noster, cVc. and then the dijridge began. Which ended, mass of requiem began ; during which tyme at the syde awltre were dyvers masses said, and at magnificat, benedictus. After the gospell and et libera me, the person censynd§ the corps." Next followed the offerings of the masse\ pennies of gold and delivery of the arms of the deceased, laying them on the altar, kc. •• which offeryng finished, the sermond began by Father Peryne, a black Freer, whose anthem was Scio quia resurget in resurrectione in novissimo die. Whereupon he declared howe Chryste raised Lazarus from dethe, seying how he ivas a gentleman given to chyvalrie% fur the welthe of his countrege, and so he said that Nobleman that there lag deadv tvas. in whose commendation, among many other things, lie finished his sermonde ; which don, mass proceeded till St. John's Gospell that the banner and standard** were offergd, in which meane tyme 'et libera me," the morners departed to their bots, (boats) and so to London, to his seid house to dinner." In short, in 1541, it appears to have been the custom, at least, at the funerals of great people, to set down the body in the " quire," — to sing salmes. and read lessons. They then ; - offeryd into the almes boxe." and. after the mourners, others. A sermon was then preached and prayer made, in which the congregation joined. The corps was then buried, during which tvas sung te deuni. and the whole was concluded with good eating and drinking.]] To proceed much further with this subject were greatly to exceed the limits and design of this book ; I shall, therefore, commit these few hints to those who can understand them. Making no further observation upon the wild howl of the low Irish, or the worse than Indian yell of the orthodox Dissenters. i See Virg. JSneid 6 — 21$ and Note 'lis. Adams's Antiquities, i>. 172. ■ [bid, p; 478— 480. Adams's antiquities, p. 477- 182. It was a maxim that no person should conic to Ood, " ne to the Kyng icitt a voydehond." olden Legend. H See account <>f the funeral of Catherine Pair, Archax)- logia, vol. 5, p. 286. 151 excepting this, that they have one common origin, and that is Pagan.Jt As to Heathen nations, however, I see no inconsistency in their singing the praises of their dead ; nor yet in Catholics singing their masses, and dirges, and requiems, as the practice is cor- respondent to their belief on particular points of doctrine ; but really I do not know what ft See Fosbroke's Ariconensia, who refers to Macrobius, etc., in Id. 2,-477 ; Strvpe's Annals of the Reformation, vol 1, p. 190. to make of singing or rather h >wling at funerals, among a people* who profess to be emancipated from Popery and Paganism; neither do I understand what their speaking of experiences comes from, but it is very much like auricular confession, clothed only in a more pharisaic and offensive dress. See Sanderson's Account of the differenc between the Presbyterians and Independents, in the Appendix to Arch- bishop Sancroft's Life. OOTTINGLEY-HALL, BEESTON, AND NEWHALL. NOT intending to commit to paper what others have printed, bnt merely to supply their omissions, I here present the reader with an account which, to the best of my belief, is only to be found in manuscript. Sir William Beeston, of Beeston. Knight, lived in the reigns of Edward the 2nd and 3rd. In the fourth year of the former he obtained a grant of Free Warren, in Beeston, Cholewell, and Cottingley. lie had one-third of a Knight's fee, in Beeston, held of the Manor of Pontefract. His heir-at-law was Ralph. Robert Beeston, the son of Ralph, was born in 1490, and lived at Cottingley. He was buried the 23rd of April, 1566. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Sir William Calverley, of Calverley, whom he married the third year of Edward 6th. William Beeston, another son of Ralph, married a daughter of Gilbert Legh, of Middleton. His father gave four acres of meadow land, in Beeston, to Kirkstall Abbey. William left a son Ralph, who was buried at Leeds Old Church, in 1496. I can find no further mention of this family, except that William Beeston, Esq., with Sir John Miifield and Christopher Ward, Knight, were seized of lands amounting to a Knight's fee. in Morley, Beeston, and J) rigid in gton. Next to the Beeston s, the family of most consequence hereabouts appears to have been the Hodgsons, who, at length, succeeded them in some of their estates. In the year 1613, I find Christopher Hodgson, thentofore of Beeston, living at Newhall, which, probably, ho built. This Christopher was attorney to the Council in the North. He married Issabel, daughter of Henry Currer, of Holling Hall, Esq., and had two sons — John and Christopher. By deed of gift, in 1613, Christopher the father settled upon the youngest son, Christo- pher, Cottingley-* Grange, then in the posses- sion of Thomas Norcliffe, Esq., and other estate- near Middleton, in the possession of Henry Gascoign and Alexander Gourdon. John Hodgson, of Newhall, Esq., eldest son and heir of the last Christopher, married Elizabeth, sister of Sir George Radcliffe, and had issue, Christopher — John (a merchant at Leeds), Ann, Margaret, and Mary. John the elder, was baptized in 1601, became an Alderman of Leeds, buried his wife in 1648, and having taken up arms for Charles the 1st, agreeably to the politics of her family, he was fined in the sum of £340 — a very moderate fine, certainly, the fortune and con- nections of the man considered. To John succeeded his son Christopher, who also lived at Newhall, and had issue, Jonathan, who died S. P. — four daughters, and Christopher, a younger son. who lived at Cottingley. The children of this last Christopher were John, Christopher, and Frances, who married Mr. William Robinson. Curate of Beeston, and died in 1710. John had a large family of sons and daughters. His eldest son John, of Leeds, merchant, married Anne, daughter and heiress of Thomas Craven, Alderman of Ripon, who had issue by him, Thomas, bom the 2nd of June, 1710, — Ann, Sarah, Ellen, Elizabeth, and Catherine. He died 8th of January, 1710. His son Thomas died an infant, so his daughters became his heiresses, and sold the Manor of Beeston to Mr. Thos. Kitchingman, Alderman, of Leeds. It is painful to contemplate now such spots as Cottingley-IIall, Newhall, or Howley, Soothill, Oakwell, Batley, Lunib, Usher, and many other Halls in this vicinity, especially in a political view. Instead of such families as the Beestons — the Hodgsons, Saviles, Copleys, Greatheeds, Batts, M argot sons, Dshers, and Smiths, Ave find now upon their premises mere labourers or handycraftsmen. The decline or gradual disappearance of the 153 superior class of gentry— the most religious, moral, an] patriotic of all classes, at all times, and in all countries ; I date from the ruinous, disgraceful, profligate reign of Charles the 2nd. To complete my circuit of about three miles round Morley, I must now just notice Middleton and Thorpe-on-the-IIill. The first name that I can find at Middleton is that of Robert de Crepping, Lord of that Manor, and High Sheriff of Yorkshire, in the 34th, 35th, and :)7th years of Henry 3rd. lie bore for his arms gules, a lion saliant, argent, between semi, and billets, or. In the 8th of Edward 1st he obtained a charter of Free Warren in all the County of York. He left two sons— John, High Sheriff, 1st and 2nd of Edward 2nd, and Richard. Sir Richard de Cropping, of Middleton, was the son and heir of this John. To him succeeded his son and heir. Sir Simon, whose daughter, Margeiy, being his sole heiress, about the 3rd year of Edward 3rd, granted the Manor of Middleton to Gilbert de la Legh, a second son of that Cheshire family which came from the same ancient family at Issell, in Cumberland— and Robert, Silkestone by Deed, at Pontefract, in 1329, released all his interest and title. The witnesses to this Deed were the following, viz. :— "Sir William de Beiston, Knight, Sir John de Elland, Knight, Sir Robert de Bellamont (Beaumont), Knight, Bryan of Thornhill, William of Skar- gill, Adam of Batley, Adam of Hopton, Miles de la Ilaye, William do alt a ripe als Dawtrey, Thomas de Fenton, Robert de Wrynethorpe, Henry de Olton, John Ewer, and others; also a fine was levied from Sir John Mere- worth and this Margery his wife, to the said Gilbert de la Legh, and enrolled at West- minster, before John Stoner, John Travers, Richard Slingsby, and other good people." Legh of Middleton, bore quarterly ; first, argent a bend gules over all two bars- second, argent a fass and three mullets in chief sable. Seven generations of the Leghs following in the pedigree in succession 1 musi pass ovei\ Annie, one of the daughters of Roger, the 7th in succession, married a .Mr. William Mawson, of Churwell. William, his second son, settled at Royds, in Rothwell, and Thomas, the heir-at-law of Roger, appears to have lived in Henry 7th's reign. William Legh, the son_aud heir of Thomas, and who is said to have had estates, besides Middleton, at West-Ardsley, Liverse was attainted of high treason, with Edmund Tattersal, a clothier, and one Ambler, a priest, in the 33rd year of Henry 8th (1540), and they were executed at London, the 24th of May, in that year. This I presume was the insurrection fomented, as was imagined, by Cardinal Pole, and headed by Sir John N'ovile, andfor which he suffered; and not him only, but the innocent and venerable Countess of Salisbury, the last of the line of Plantag* net, who was cruelly murdered upon this event. After three descents from William, we come to Sir Firdinando Legh, of -Middleton, who had four wives, was some years Governor of the Isle of .Aran, under the Karl of Derby; Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, to Charles the 1st, and Col. of a regiment of horse, in 1042. He died at Pontefract. the l'.tth of January, 1654, and was buried in the ruined Church there. In 1642 he gave one hundred pounds to the King, at York. John Legh, son and heir of Sir Ferdinando, married Helen, daughter of Ralph Eure, of Washingburgh, in Lincolnshire, and had issue, Ann, who married Ralph Brandling, of Felling, in the County of Durham, Esq., and Catherine. John Legh was Capt. under his father. He died in .March, 1706. His daughter Anno was his heiress. Ralph Brandling left Mid- dleton Estate to his nephew, Charles Brand- ling, Esq., who procured an Act of Parliament to have a Waggon-way two and a quarter miles in length, to convey coals from his Collieries here to Leeds, which way was finished in 1759. Some few years ago. as workmen were cutting a new road from Bellisle to Leeds, on the slope or a gentle declivity, a stone coffin, evidently of Bramley grit, was discovered. To me it appeared to haw contained the body of a female ®f rank: partly from tho Bize of the coffin, which was four feel ten inches inside measure, but principally from the beads, teeth, aid bones which 1 inspected. Unfortunately the whole of the contents had been broken up and dispersed several davs before I visited the place, bo that 1 give my thoughta with some diffidence. Mad it happened otherwise, my belief is that 1 Bhould have discovered qo( only a necklace but bracelets, for there were many beads of various sizes, colours, and substances — some being a composition, or else of amber. A few 154 of them I possess. The body had been Covered with a substance like plaister of washed lime, bul it was no Buch thing, as appeared by a chemical test. I cannot, how- ever, positively say what else it was. The teeth were all uncommonly sound, but almost all besides had mouldered to dust. — The coffin 1 ascertained had lain due North and South. From these premises, and there having been no account or tradition of a Church within two miles of this deposit, it is my belief that this was a Roman interment : most likely anterior to the conversion of the Romans and Britons of these parts. It might, indeed, be that of a Roman unconverted, for they laid their bodies North and South, and rally, but not always,* near a public road. The reader who wishes to pursue the subject may find in Mr. ( rough's Sepulchral Monuments, page 25, an account of some stone coffins found within the walls of York, in 1761, containing skeletons firm and entire laid in lime; and a somewhat similar inter- ment is recorded in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1802, p. 3 ( J3-4. * See Archfeologia, vol. 12, p. 90 and 112. Adams's Antiquities, p. 4S0 ; who tells us the Roman interments were often in fields or gardens near the highway, to remind those who pass of their mortality. Hence the frequent inscriptions of " Siste Viator."—" Aspice Viator," etc., on the Via Appia, Amelia, Flaminia, Tiburtina, etc. THORPE ON THE HILL. THORPE, often corrupted into Thrup, seems to be an Anglo-Saxon word, signifying a lodge in a forest, or a hamlet. — Lidgate, the poet, in his Troy Boke, b. 11, c. 10, mentions " provinces, borowes, villages, and thropes." At Thorpe once lived the respectable family of Gascoigns, related to, no doubt, if not descended from that celebrated Judge who lies interred in Hare wood Church. This great man was bora at Gawthorpe, in the Township of Ilarewood, in 1350, and died in 1413, leaving several children, and a fame imperishable for the integrity and courage which he displayed on two trying occasions. He resolutely refused to pass sentence upon Archbishop Scroope, as a traitor, though urged to do so by the imperious command of an absolute Monarch (Ilenry 4th), alleging, in justification of himself, that it would be violation to the laws of the land were he to comply. And, at another time, when Henry the 5th, then Prince of Wales, assaulted him on the Bench, he committed him to prison. Such conduct as this may be well contrasted with that of a descendant of his — Lord Strafford — who with all his pliability and Court favour, was never so high in the public esteem as the Chief Justice — the spirit in fact and views of these men were very different. The one insisted on a King being subject to laws — the other would have a King above all law, as sufficiently appears from the Radcliffe Letters.f The first Gascoign of Thorpe, whom I can find in their pedigree, was John, who lived in the reign of Ilenry the 8th. After him there are several descents which, for brevity's sake, I omit, and skip, at once, to Ilenry Gascoign, baptised the 19th of November, L586, ami buried 20th September, 1645. " His eldest son William," says the writer of MSS. Collections for the West-Riding, in the Leeds Old Library, "was slain at Melton- Mowbray, in the Civil War; he was famous " We have four Oawthorpcs or " G&wthrupfl," in the West Riding (I believe), and one in the North. t See especially p. l-l. And RtuhwQrth, vol. 2, p. 169, et seq. for his astronomical discoveries and mathe- matical genius, in which studies he wrote some manuscripts." Whether the former part of this paragraph be not one of the innumerable blunders of this writer, may be judged by the following ex- tract from really good authority. " Gascoign, Esquire, of Middleton, near Leeds," says Aubrey, "was killed at the battle of Marston-Moor, about the age of 2-1 or 25 at most. Mr. Townley, of Townley, in Lancashire, has his papers from Mr. Edward Ilamsteed, who says he found out the way of improving telescopes before Des Cartes. Mr. Edward Ilamsteed tells me, Sept. 1682, that 'twas atlYork fight he was slain."* Dr. \Vhitaker informs us that " he was the inventor of an instrument for dividing a foot in measure into parts," Since writing the above an article in the Gentleman's Magazine has just occurred to me which corroborates the statement of Aubrey. The writer, who signs himself " Astrophilus," after giving an account of Mr. Ilorrox and Mr. Crabtree, two famous young Astronomers, proceeds thus: — " Con- temporary with these two illustrious youths lived William Gascoign, the inventor of the micrometer, who was slain at Marston-Moor, on the 2nd of July, 1644, fighting for Charles the 1st, at the age of twenty-three." On this indisputable statement 1 have bat one reflection to offer.— How melancholy the talc!— how sad the end of such a gentleman] Alas ! he died in arms against the liberties tf Ids country. My history would here have terminated but the accidental discovery of a (anions article, corroborating some principal positions in it. invites me t » keep iii hand my pen for a few pages, and will not introduce inappro- priately what was intended as an appendix. By the kindness «>!' my must intimate friend, Mi-. Swinden, of Mbrley, 1 am put in posses- sion mi' the article in question, which he § Letters vol. _\ | ...,t.'g Mag. vol.31, p. 226. m discovered al the house of one Joseph Wooffinden. It isawarming* pan of remark- able make, and the lid of which is twelve inches and a half in diameter. Upon it is a lion rampant, having, under his left paw, the fleur-de-lis of France; and. upon his right one, the crown of England which he is toss- ing up, and. as it were, playing with as though it were a toy. Now. if there could possibly have been any doubt as to the person or circumstance intended, a medal of Cromwell which 1 possess would have decided the matter ; but here we have upon the lid of the pan a motto, " In God is all our trust." and (most fortunately) the date 1650, the very year upon which nearly all the interest of my book hinges. I am credibly informed that this singular relic has descended from a family here called Robinson, and that other natives of Morley had similar pans,f or other articles with the same device, not twenty years ago. Before I write upon the battle of Dunbar, which had, doubtless, been fought before this pan was engraved, and, most likely, before my medal was struck, I wish to drop a remark on three of the finest public characters which the whole range of history well under- stood, presents — namely, Cromwell — Fairfax — and Lambert. Of the first of these we have a description given us by as good an authority and as fine a writer as, perhaps, any age or nation can boast. "Cromwell," says Mr. Godwin, "was a man of great virtues, sincere in his religion, fervent in his patriotism, and earnestly devoted to the best interests of mankind.f He had a frame of mind that no complication of difficulties could ever succeed to inspire with a doubt of his power to conquer them. The fertility of his conceptions, like the intrepidity of his spirit, was incapable of being exhausted. We seek in romance for characters with qualities enabling them to achieve incredible adventures. In the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England we find a real personage, whose exploits do not fall short of all that the wildest imagina- tion had ever the audacity to feign." Fairfax was a man of the most brilliant qualities.): In that fine character we see I am well assured that the device was put up*") these aten Us to Bhew that Cromwell had given bis enemies "a warming." Everj Yorksbireman knows the mean! g <>t the expression to give one a "warming." t If my life be spared I Bhall illustrate all tins by Boine scarce and very curious extracts. Bee Goodwin's Preface to rol i. i>. 7- | See G< nu part <>f It i> confirmed to me by tradition of my forefathers. I mean Cromwell's deportment. Ms enemies he scattered.'" Then arose the banner — ; - In Gcd is all our t roust /" Then went forth the motto — " The Lord of Hosts" — •• God with us /" Then too. methinks. was probably raised the psalm of thanksgiving, and the song of triumph. Sweet practi and peculiar alone to these immortal heroes. At all events the issue of the conte-t was doubtful but for a short time, for the d< mined aspect of those old soldiers •• upon whom victory was entailed," so intimidated the Scots that they were soon in disorder, and fled precipitately. '* I profess," ejaculated Cromwell, in surprise and ecstasy, " they run r Yes ! they did run. How little indeed they could abide his presence* appeared from the result : which, on their side, was three thousand .-lain, ten thousand prisoners, with the loss of two hundred culverins, and all their baggage train, and arms; — while that of the Republicans was one commissioned officer, and about forty men. Amongst the innumerable mistakes into which people have been led by the artifices of a party, and the treachery or ignorance of their scribes, no one is more common than the idea that Cromwell was a man of per- plexed thoughts and expression. Alas! his attachment to the jargon of the Independents has helped forward their calumnies not a little. But, the fact is. that Cromwell could both write and speak well when he pleased, and this I hope to shew in a future publica- tion. For the present lot the wisdom of his actions and the sublimity of his conceptions be the pledge of my power to do this. Look into history my readers — per use the real or fabricated speeches of Kings or of (Jenerals upon the field of battle. Where will you find a parallel instance to the one before you? Fine, assuredly, was Cumberland's appeal at Cullodenf Field. "Ifunij one be unwilling to fight Irani sentiment or from fear, he is at liberty to leave us." Liner still that of Napoleon to his soldiers in Egypt. "From tin- heights of those Pyramids forty centurie*\ took upon us." Hut how infinitely are both surpassed by the grandeur of Cromwell ! So terrible was ( n unveil ttj his enemies that when the i " Charles the 2nd heard that lie was selected for the chief command in the Irish war, he resolutely declined setting bis f""t in that countrj So much depends noon the personal character of a General as well is <>i a King. Bee Godwin'! Commonwealth, voL 8, p. Lac Yet this was the fellow who. in Illustration of £sop's fable of the "Sick I. ion uml tho .It ;•■ a '!<■ :<1 man. t See also the proclamation of Bar] Warrick baton tin battle Laid. ; Mem. .its l>y Oourgaml, MO, VOL -• 158 u Let God" said he, "arise, and let his enemies be scattered." The sequel of this achievement, more like a romance than a military adventure, is well known. It only remains for me to add, that Prom this period the Dissenting interest appears to have prospered in Morley — that the Earl of Sussex became its patron — that the lion sported with the Crown of England with one foot, while he kept beneath the • I am delighted to and that Captain Hodgson'* Narrative confirms the tradition of my forefathers. " I heard ' Noll' ■ays Hodgson, " Now, letjGod arise, and let his enemies be Bcattere I." Ps. 68, v. 1st. , other the Lily of France — that religion and morals were advanced — that trade begun to flourish in these districts, and eight or nine years of such prosperity ensued that, even to the present day, when an unfortunate York- j shireman is reminded of his former happiness, the common, well-known ejaculation is — "Ah/ but those ivere Oliver days." — A Veil might this high and holy character be depicted, as we find he was, under the beautiful emblem of "an azure s})ot upo?\ a cloudy sky."* * Sec Burton's Diary. ADDITIONS TO MORLEY. SINCE this History was written a new Church, dedicated to St. Peter, has been built at Morley, upon a portion of two acres of ground, presented with a donation of £200, by the Right Honourable the Earl of Dart- mouth. The first stone of it, in the absence of Mr. Foxley, the Vicar of Batley, was laid by the Rev. Henry Cooper, his Curate, and a copper plate was placed in it, stating also that Mr. Chantrell was the architect, and Messrs. Robert Clapham, John Hollings, and George Crowther, Churchwardens for this parish. The procession, consisting of many of the clergy, many ladies, elegantly dressed, and some gentlemen, with a band of music, etc., was a pleasing spectacle, and it was rendered most so by the state of the weather. A dinner for the Clergy was provided at the Nelson's Arms Inn, near the ground, and the plans of the architect gave universal satisfac- tion. The architecture of this Church is an imi- tation of that which prevailed in the latter part of Henry the 3d's reign — its proportions are admirable, and there is a consistency in the design throughout which is rarely met with. The sum of £3000 being the utmost of what his Majeety's Commissioners allow in this instance, and a considerable part thereof being destined for the inclosure of the Burial-ground, nothing can be more judicious than the plan of the architect in fixing upon the a:ra of Henry the 3d's reign, for he has thus saved the cost, or at least, prevented the necessity for buttresses, battle ments, a porch, fine tracery, and other ornamental work which increased in subse- quent times. Nor is the structure less suitable as a village Church, but in my opinion, more so. As this Church is near the public road to Leeds, Iluddersfield, and Manchester, and thousands of strangers are travelling near it annually, I congratulate not only the architect, but the people in the district, upon our having an Edifice which will do them credit, in the esteem of every antiquary and man of good taste. And I feel more pride and pleasure upon this subject, when I contrast this little. neat, and appropriate structure with most of the modern Churches. I appeal to every real antiquary, what are they like? Do they remind him of our ancient ecclesiastical architecture, with its fine lantern-towers or heaven-shooting spires ? Can anything be more incongruous than those buildings, with their Heathenish vestibules — their " hodge- podge " of different a3ras, styles, and orna- ment — (if it deserves the name) — their cupolas, pigeon-cote, or pepper-box belfrys, more resembling a patent shot manafactory, and more appropriate to Noblemen's grounds or public places of amusement, than anything else. To me it is astonishing and unaccount- able, if some people have no more taste than to project such things, that others should have no more knowledge than to allow their erection. The situation of this Church is very com- manding. A line drawn from the Tower of Ardsley Church to that of Pudsey, would nearly pass over St. Peter's, at Morley; which, having a spire, and being nearly equidistant from these other Churches, pro- duces an agreeable variety. A spectator from this Church may see the line woods, part of the grounds, and house of Temple Newsome, also Great Orinscliffe, Whitkirk, part of the Hare wood plantation-, and of the Skipton Hill-, while Leeds and si .me of the villages near it, are in the valebelow. It is the present intention of Mr. Chantrell to crown the spire, at Morley. with an o;i_ instead of a cock or vane. Old St. Paul's, at London, as Ave are told by Dugdale, was surmounted thus, which has excited the surprise of some people, and the doubts of others, who have suspected that the dove, and not the eagle, was exhibited. For the information of our architect, (if he knows it not) and of other antiquaries, 1 take leave to say that Dugdale is quite correct. It was banged for i doyt, which wi upon the Bteepltj uu the Nat Juty, ls^y. l'Ul L60 (strange as it may appear upon a Christian Temple) an eagle. It is well known to all nun of learning how much the Catholics of ancienl times have borrowed from Pagan Rome, although (as was insinuated in a former page) this subjed lias not 1 cm investigated quite so well as it ought tn he — an instance of it uowlies bef< re us. The eagle was the bird of Jupiter "tonans," who. with his •• nil eiite dextra," hurled the lightning, of course. In a picture of Hebe, (Jupiter's cupbearer) with the eagle, the lightning appears issuing from its talons; one might, therefore, well imagine that by the Romans this bird would be regarded as sacred and inviolable, by lightning, in par- ticular ; and Pliny, accordingly, in his Natural History, makes mention of it among the most certain preservatives from the electric fluid. " Aquila" says he,* " Vitulus Marinus, et Lauras, fulmine non feriuntur.'' Here then we come at the secret about the eagle, and why it w r as adopted by our Catholic country- men. But neither the eagle, nor the globe con- taining holy relics, nor the baptism of bells, nor the incantations of the Catholic Priests, could save Old St. Paul's or its spire. As, therefore, the eagle alone is not very likely to secure that of St. Peter's, at Morley, certain contrivances for the purpose of a less super- stitious, but more philosophical kind, are contemplated. One circumstance connected with the intro- duction of this Church is deserving of remembrance, which is that every possible exertion has been made to prevent rates being- laid upon the township for inclosure of the Burial-ground, or providing necessaries for the Church. To defray the expenses of the former the Committee here have obtained the sanction of the Parliamentary Commissioners, and the promise of the architect, that out of the grant of £'3,000 an adequate sum shall be appropriated to the inclosure; and to furnish the latter a Lady's Association has been formed, — almost every article has been subscribed, and the donations in money already exceed 1*27. So far, at least, the principle of Dissenters thai "every Christian Society should suppoii itself." has been acted upon. No person has been solicited whose 1 Lib. 2, cap. 65. What ft pity it Lb that people who publish Topographical Works seldom explain these curiosities. \\w ( .f them, l believe, are able to do it ; for illustration is one thing and ft OTjrffatfOfl U another. hostility to the Church was manifest, and Still less has any legal demand been made upon him. I cannot lay down my pen without noticing the liberal aud kindly feeling displayed by many Dissenters of respectability, in the vicinity of Moiley, towards those who have interested themselves regarding this Church. By their assistance and that of other fiiends, hot only lane the donations and subscriptions aforesaid amounted to what will be quite sufficient for present exigencies, but a hand- some sum is in the Hank, to be appropriated in case this shall be a district Church (as was ever designed) for a Minister's endowment; but if not, for the support and repair of the Church, or otherwise as they who have sub- scribed the money may determine. An organ also, to cost one hundred and forty pounds, has been bespoke, and is building by Mr. Joseph Booth, of Wakefield, and above half the money is already in hand. May the exertions of the Committee be crowned with success ! — May they have reason, upon review of their labours, to rejoice: and especially in the anticipation of that reforma- tion and renovation in society which seems fast approaching. In a well regulated com- munity, and under another order of things, a Church may be of the greatest advantage in every neighbourhood. With an eye to futurity the author of this work has interested himself in its erection; aud when he who brings light out of darkness, order out of confusion, and real good out of "seeming evil," shall have executed his fearful and mysterious work; — when the tempest, so long impending over this land, shall have passed away, there will be a brighter sun and more radient heaven. The author has lived in strange times — he remembers some- thing of the spirit of the age during the Birmingham Riots — has not been unmindful of it ever since ; and he now beholds the con- sequences. But however these evils may affect our posterity, there is one subject for consolation. — The spirit which gave them birth can never again be invoked with success. — The people who burnt the dwellings of a Priestley, and would have taken his life, would now spread flowers in his path, and ciwvy him through the streets in triumph. — The tocsin oi war cannol now be sounded political fallacies are seen through — oppro- brious epithets are laughed at — bigotry is little prevalent — national antipathies are 161 dying away with the tales of the nursery — "the schoolmaster is abroad" — history is better written and understood, and people are beginning to think for themselves. With confidence, therefore, the rising generation may look to the future ; and, in many respects, may anticipate important changes. Should these extend to our National Church and Clergy, the foresight of the acting members of the Committee at Morley, as respects the Church of St. Peter, will be commemorated by a distant posterity. Since this work went to press, the Diary of Thoresby, the Historian of Leeds, has come out : the most interesting passages in which, as relative to these parts, I will endeavour to throw into a single note. And first, I would notice the mention which he makes of several persons of whom I have written — of the Saviles — the Whartons — Hodgsons — Elstons Pickerings — and some of the ejected Ministers; but especially of Ralph Rymer's son, who, it appears by w T hat is added in p. 296, was author of the " Feedera," and whose father "was convicted on very slender evidence."* But the most curious part is what relates to Howley-IIall, to which place Thoresby went on the 28th of May, 1683, "to see" the mansion "and pictures of the late Earl of Sussex," (James, and not Thomas, as I before intimated). Ilowley- Hall had upon it inscriptions, in several places, and is styled " a noble and stately fabric," in page 207 ; and, from a note sub- joined, it is manifest that it was pulled down, as I conjectured, in 1716 or 1717, and not in 1730, as Dr. Whitaker has asserted. In March, 1702, Thoresby revisited this fabric, "but found no arms in the windows ; only in the hall was Sir John's and his Lady's in plaister." " The gardens and orchards," . he, " arc curious, kept in the new order of dwarf trees, except a remarkable yew tree — the wall fruits forward to a wonder— the apricots set, and some pretty large." Again, under date of 1705, we find Th iding with a Mr. Thornton to see Howley-Hall, "where," says he, "was a stately entr from the Porter's-Lodge to the front of the hall. I took copies," ho adds, "of theinscrip- tions, but was disappointed of (lie family pictures, as the famous Sir John Savile, first " From what Thoresby relates, it appear! that Ralph Rymer lived at Yafforth-Hall, dear Northallerton. His son Thomas was appointed to tiir- office of Historian Royal, by William 3rd. See vol. 1, i>. WI ; vol. 2, p. 24. This gentle- man, or one of the family, teems to have bcvii Chaplain, to Lvrtl Jt'uirfiu in Itol. fecc vol. 1, i>. 108, Alderman of Leeds. This hall is since demolished, and the materials sold — Omnia Vanitas." In 1712 a drawing of Howley-IIall was taken by one Booth, an artist (vol. 2, p. 172). Of the son of Capt. Hodgson much is said. It appears he was Chaplain to Lady Hewley. In 1712, Thoresby visited Middleton-Hall, " where," says he, " I was kindly received by Mr. Brandling', but got little information as to the ancient family of the Lcghs, though Mr. Francis is yet living, whose grandfather died one hundred and seventeen years ago. In their private Chapel I saw some rich copes and vestments, with pictures, *.v.c, with a Mass-book, but never a bible in any language." (p. 89.) The Reader will find an account of Edward Reyner in p. 321 — of Gamaliel Marsden in p. 84 — of Win. Gascoign (who lived, it seems, at Xewhall) in p. 357 — of the Tingley Burial- ground in p. 49, 59, &c. — and a curious account of Sir John Savile's daughter, who married Dr. Bradley, of Ackworth, p. 153. I cannot conclude without noticing the mention which is made by Thoresby of Mr. Booth, of Rawden, and Mr. Aldred, of Morley, in p. 319, vol. 2 ; and which corro- borates, in some measure, my account of these very excellent and useful men. In page -J .">:;, under dcte of 1684, we have this entry — "June 29, Die Dom. — L T p pretty early ; walked to Gilder sham, where, at Mr. John Dicken- son's, had a curious opportunity of 'privacy to hoar an excellent sermon from Mr. Sharp. "f This was the gentleman to whom reference is made, in page 95 of my work, and of whom much is written in the first volume of the Diary. He lived at Horton, near Bradford, while he officiated as Presbyterian Pastor, at Leeds. Upon the whole it is evident that Thoresby was a collector — a compiler — a theologian — a sermon hunter— a courtier — a priest-ridden dupe — and a man who could swallow any absurdity; but certainly ho had little in him of the true antiquary, or man of genius. What must wo think of a person who could write (hat a disease of twelve years 1 duration was cured by a handkerchief dipped in the blood of Charles Stuari, Kin,-- of England? — of a shower of corn falling from the clouds', in June, L681, and coining down chimneys, pari of which ho t in p. 180 Thoresby tells us Mr. slurp preached two hours ami ;i lull by tag ChUTQh QlOOk, " vet uut tcUivio," NJ1 ku, 162 kept for his museum? — In short, of a scribe who could put down .ill sorts of horsegod- mother tales and gossip, and tell us little about persons, and events, which would have interested a very distant posterity? How provoking, instead of this, to find his Diary full of that kind of "twaddle" for which there might be some excuse before Thoresby was born, but could be none in his times? But so it is, when a man abandons the right use of his reason — when he pins his faith upon the sleeve of other persons — when he meddles with all concerns but those which belong to himself — when he pesters himself and other people with matters of speculation and of fancy, and is little concerned about matters of fact, he not only involves himself in difficulties and in troubles, but he leaves behind the mementos of his folly. Thoresby was, probably, a well meaning man ; but his writings, voluminous as they are, tend little to our instruction, and less to our amusement. THE END. APPENDIX I . Edward the Confessor swore—" By God's Motlicr." (a) William the Conqueror—" By God's Splendour." (6) William Kufus-" By St. Lv.ke's Facer (c) Henry First—" By our Lord's Death. " {d) Stephen—" By God's Birth." (e) Henry Second—" God's Curse light on you and mine." (/) John—* ■ By God's Teeth." (g) Henry Third-" By God's Head." (h) Edward First—" By God's Blood." (i) " per sanguinem Die." Richard Second -" By St. Edward. " (j) Henry Sixth—" By St. Edward." (k) His common word was—" Forsooth." Edward Fourth—" By God's Blessed Lady." (I) Richard Third—" By St. Paul," (m) Henry Eighth—" By St. Mary." (n) When angry-" By God. " Elizabeth-" By G ." or " God's Death." (o) or " God's Wounds." James First swore.— See Ellis's Letters, vol 3, p. 118 ; but his Oath is not mentioned. Oliver Cromwell was not a Swearer. Charles Second—" God's Fish." A corruption of ' ' God's Flesh. " ( p) APPENDIX II The greatest man, perhaps, that ever lived, having attained a correspondent popularity, at least in this vicinity, I shall adorn my History, so nearly connected with his times, with a few scarce and very curious documents illustrative of his grandeur, condescension, benevolence, and piety. COPY OF A PETITION TO OLIVER CROMWELL. "To his Highness, the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, " The humble Petition of Margery, the wife of William Beacham, mariner— Sheweth, " That your Petitioner's husband hath been active and faithful in the wars of this Commonwealth, both by sea and land, and hath undergone many hazards by imprisonment and fights, to the endangering his life, and at last lost the use of his right arm, and is utterly disabled from future service, as doth appear from the Certificate annexed ; and yet he hath no more than forty shillings pension from Chatham, by the year. " That your Petitioner having only one son, who is tractible to learn, and not having wherewith to bring him up, by reason of their present low estate, occasioned by the public service aforesaid. "Humbly prayeth that your Highness, would vouchsafe to present her said son, Randolph Beacham, to be a scholar in Sutton's Hospital, called the Charter-house." (Indorsed) "OLIVER P. " We refer this Petition and Certificate to the Commissioners for Sutton's Hospital. —July 28, 1856. (a) Or, " By our Lady" Malmesbury. Rapin, p. 187. Stowe, 129. lb) Rapin, p. 165— 180. Speed, 432. (<•) Stowe, 170. -Speed, 430. Rapin, 189. (<*) Speed, 450 (e) Note to Rapin, 203. (/) Stowe, 232. Speed, 470. to) Matt Paris, 228. Rapin, 289. Stowe, 254, w (h) Speed, 540. Rapin. 327— 334. (») Speed, 560. Rapin, Note to page 345. (j)'ArchaDologia, vol. 20, p. 43. (k) Stowe, 650. (/) Stowe, 727—755. („«) Stowe, 717. (n) Speed. 703. Ellis, vol. 1, p. 280. (o) Ellis's Letters, vol. 3, p. 41—102. (p) Life of Lord Russell, p. 62. 164 COPY OF A LETTER* SENT BY OLIVER CROMWELL TO HIS SECRETARY ON THE ABOVE PET] PlOa BEING PRESENTED. "Y . . . . " I have not that particular shining bauble, or feather in my cap for crowds to gaze at or kneel to ; but I hare power and resolution to make the Nations tremble. To be short. I know how to deny Petitions; and, whatever T think proper, for outward form, to refer to any officer or office, I expect that such my compliance with custom, shall be also looked upon as an indication of my will and pleasure to have the thing done. Sec therefore that the boy is admitted. " Thy true f i iend, OLIVER P." Upon this letter, in which the incomparable majesty of the " Unparalleled Monarch " peeps out, I would engraft a minute or two from my Common Place Book. In Cromwell's l'eply to the Address of his Army, touching the acceptance of the kingly title, he tells it among other things, " that for his part he loved the title— ' a feather in a hat '—as little as they did." Burton's Diary, vol. 2. p. 383. "Cromwell," says Ludlow, "said it was but e a feather in a man's cap,' and therefore, he wondered that men would not please Vie children, and permit them to enjoy the rattle.'" Memoirs, vol. 2, p. 586—587. APPENDIX III. I take the liberty to extract the following from the Gentleman's Magazine for 1791, being well assured as to the authenticity of the communication, from my knowledge of the writer, with whom my zeal, when a boy, respecting Eugene Arm, made me a favourite. " Mr. Urban, "The late Sir John Goodricke, Bart., who died in the year 1789, used to relate an anecdote of Oliver Cromwell, told him when a boy, by a very old woman who had formerly attended his mother, Lady Goodricke, in the capacity of midwife, and who spent most of her latter days at Pvibstone-Hall. Sir John used to give it thus in her own words : " When Cromwell came to lodge at our house, in Knaresborough, I was then but a young girl. Having heard much talk about the man, I looked at him with wonder. Being ordered to take a pan of coals and air his bed, I could not, during the operation, forbear peeping over my shoulder several times to observe this extraordinary person who was seated at the far side of the room untying his garters. Having aired the bed, I went out, and shutting the door after me, stopped ; and, peeping through the keyhole, I saw him rise from his seat, advance to the bed, and fall on his kees, in which attitude I left him for some ; when returning again I found him still at prayer, and this was his custom every night so long as he stayed at our house ; from which I concluded he must be a good man ; and this opinion I always maintained afterwards, though I heard him very much blamed, + and excessively abused. "J " Surely no one will say, adds the worthy writer, " that this was a parade of piety, pharisaical intention, to be seen of men. How far ambition might alter these sentiments afterwards, is left to the historian of those turbulent times. The person who related this to Sir John Goodricke, was Ellenor Ellis, whose father owned the house before mentioned. She was born, as appears by the Parish Register, June 30th, 1632, and was, therefore, twelve years old at the siege of Knaresborough Castle. She afterwards married a Mr. Fish wick, had several children, and died in the year 1714, aged 82. " The house, which stood near the place where the Crown Inn now stands, in the High-Street, Knaresborough, was taken down and rebuilt in the year 1764 ; but care was taken to preserve the floor of the room where Cromwell lay. APPENDIX IV. One of the most amusing instances of the cunning of the Romish Priests, in ancient times, may be found in the fifteenth volume of the Archadogia, p. 405. — Some years ago, there was discovered in Cirencester Church, under many coats of whitewash, a painting of the martyrdom of St. Erasmus ; under which, in old black letter was the following inscription : — " What Ma other Wonia worscip this holi Sent, Bisschop and Martr. eiry Sunday that is within the yere. with a pater Noster and an Ave, other ony Almus giveth to a poor man, or breng ony Candell lyght, less or more, he shall have V giftes granted of God." * See another Letter characteristic of the man in Cromwell's Memoirs, vol. 1, p. 397. t This was in in enemy's neighbourhood, and before his character and talents were fully developed. J Moliere constitute! an old woman the best judge of his Comedies. Napoleon referred to another, aa a criterion of hia popularity In France ; and \vu have here tlio opinion of a young girl equally artless, unprejudiced, and rational, 105 " The first is, he shall have reysonabill gode to his lyvis enrle. The secunde is, that his enemys schall have no power to do him no bodily harrae or dysese. The iij is, what reysonabil thynge that he woll aske of God, and that holi Seint shall be graunted. The iiij is, that he schall be uubounde of all his tribulation and dysese. The V is, that his laste ende have Bcbrift and housill and grete repentaunce and Bacremente and annewntinge, and the maye he come to to that blysse that never hath ende.— Amen." Now, observe, reader, there is here promised- 1st. Worldly prosperity. 2nd. Immunity from injuries of every kind. 3rd. The grant of every petition (guarded by the subterfuge of that pretty word *' reysonabil.") 4th. Deliverance from every afflict ion. 5th. The benefit of confession, absolution, the eucharist or sacrament t extreme unction ; in short, all the passports of the Church, with eternal f elicit'/ of course. —And all this for what consideration? Why, for the value of a penny to the poor's box, or a bit of wax light to the Church of St. Erasmus II ! What a lesson may we learn from siich an anecdote ! APPENDIX V. One of the grand fallacies respecting Cromwell, invented and circulated, no doubt, for the purpose of concealing the fact of his unparalleled popularity, is the cunning tale about his military and arbitrary government. Nothing can be more artful and deceptious than such a representation, with reference to a person whose military talents, especially, have raised him to the sovereign command. The very circum- stance of his being the idol of an army, and effecting great designs by its instrumentality, appears at once decisive of the question, and f?w people are disposed to carry their thoughts one single step further. In the instance before us, the fallacy (as is not unfrequently the case) is comprised in a single word, the word 11 Army." The sophism is this, that no distinction exists between the Parliamentary or Protectorate army and the armies under the Monarchy, or, in other words, people are desired to believe that the will of the people of England could be no better expressed by the one, as organ of the public voice, than by the other. Now this is a position which I deny flatly, and I maintain that from its very origin, its constitution and nature, the Republican was the only army that ever did or ever could proclaim the national sentiment. Is no distiction to be made between Nobles and Gentlemen, who came forward voluntarily and independently to serve their country, and the myrmidons of a despot or the tools of a faction ? between men who left their trades, businesses, and comforts for the same purpose, and the very refuse of society, destitute alike of character, principle, or motive ? Will any one say that military of the one description would not afford a sufficient index of the national sentiment, especially when triumphant ; whereas the others would afford no criterion at all? Can any one believe that the Republican was not the popular cause, when organized masses with old officers were beaten by raw and inexperienced levies ? It is impossible to read, as in the foregoing pages even, how the Republican troops were raised -of what kind of men they generally consisted, and the language which they held, without perceiving an essential difference between them and any other military in any age in this kingdom. The very tone of this language appears an echo of the national voice. The records of history do not present an instance similar to one before adduced, in a remonstrance with their rulers. "We do not," said these Patriots, " consider ourselves a band of Janissaries, hired only to fight the battles of the Parliament. We have voluntarily taken up arms for the liberties of the nation of which we are a part, and before we lay them down we will see that end provided for." Surely this sounds more like the address of delegates or representatives of the people, than of a rebellious soldiery. Studiously and craftily as it has been kept out of sight, it is manifest to every man of reflection and historical knowledge, that the power of Cromwell was seated in the national opinion of his deserts, his talents and virtue, rather than in the army which was impelled by the tide of that opinion. The army, in fact, was made up of men in whose minds religion (as they accounted it) was the main spring to all their actions. Of Presbyterians and fifth Monarchy men and other Enthusiasts, who wore highly incensed at Cromwell for his liberality and equity; nor were the Independents indeed much pleased with him on the same grounds. Besides this he had political enemies in the Republicans and [loyalists, and deadly foes in an Aristocracy, who envied his talents, despised his birth, and detested his ascendancy. What then but his unprecedented popularity could have supported a man who courted no party, political or religious? What other power could have enabled him to reduce the army as he actually did, rather than increase it ? to awe, by a single look, a mutinous and discontented soldiery rising into arms ? — to control the wildest and most intractible visionaries? — to compose a chaos of combustible and disordered elements, and rise majestic in every storm ? Ah ! how short would have been that life, had it merely depended upon military support ! How transient would have been that power had there been no other basis than military reputation to rest upon ! Purposing in another work to expose, by evidence as well as argument, this grand political fallacy, I take but a transient view of it in this place. APPENDIX V 1 . In the Journals of the House of Commons, under date 30th of January, 1677 B, a rote of supply may be seen for King Charles 2nd, for defraying the expenses of a solemn interment of the King, bis lather, and erecting a monument to his memory. lee Among the drawings o! Sir Christopher Wren, still preserved, are the designs made by him for a mausoleum and tomb, with two inscriptions, which may be seen in a Note to Ellis's Original Letters. Next follows his estimate, which Ellis also has copied. " King ChaHet the tnd received the seventy thousand pounds; but," as Lord Clarendon observes, "the thought of the removal of his father's body was set aside, and the reason communicated to very few, for the better diecountenancwg further enquiry." Eachard even, the redhot loyalist, says :—" It was thought that King Charles the tnd never tent to enquire after the body." Ellis's Letters, vol. 3, New Series, p. 324. This is the fellow, in respect to whose memory schoolboys are taught to deck their hats with oak on the 29th of May, and the incomparable Cromwell is called a " Usurper." APPENDIX VII. That the death of an individual should have sunk England in the scale of Nations, from a first to a third rate power, would be incredible, if the fact were not not ascertained by many, and the very best authorities. One of these is Bishop Burnet, who relates that upon complaints made by Charles the 2nd, to the Dutch Ambassador, of the different conduct of that Nation towards England in Cromwell's time and his own, and especially in their treatment of himself and his brother,— Borel, in great simplicity, answered,— " Ha! Sire, c' etoit une autre chose : Cromwell etoit un grand homme, et il sefaisoit craindre et par terre et par £/ en »_« This answer," says Burnet, " was very rough. The King's reply was, ' Je me ferai craindre aussi a mon tour ;' but he was scarce as good as his word."* It was soon after this period that the men in power finding that they had got a King Log, or rather a Stork, t and mortified by the insults and derision even of a petty State ; employed Killegrew, the jester, to rouse by his wit the " legitimate " Charles, and call forth that in him which never had existence. Killegrew accordingly appeared before the royal presence, booted and spurred and all in a bustle, like a man prepared for an immediate journey. Charles, quite surprised, demanded an explanation, and especially as to where he was going? " Going !— going !" said the courtly and cunning Jester, " why to hell, to be sure, to fetch Oliver Cromwell to come and thrash these insolent Dutchmen, for nobody else can." So much does the grandeur and prosperity of a Nation depend, frequently, upon the personal character of the chief ruler ; and so well, in the history of the Stuarts, is illustrated a passage in holy writ—" Woe to thee O Land, when thy King is a child, when thy Princes indulge in a morning." APPENDIX VIII. In a curious old book, republished in 1633, and which has evidently belonged to my family for several generations, (intituled " Porta Linguarum,") I find upon the margins, a few notes from the old Republicans of Morley, written about the time of the Civil War, and chiefly upon the science of government. Being of too general a nature to interest the public now, I pass them over ; but I cannot do so by another matter of curiosity, to my fellow townsmen at least. In this volume there is fortunately preserved to us the names of some of these heroes of the Commonwealth and Protectorate, whose Rulers and Generals were compared by Voltaire to the ancient Scipios. But for this book some of these names had perished, though their deeds will live in the histories of distant ages. The following is the order, nearly, in which they stand, some of them written in red ink : — " Josua Greatlieed, Thomas Oates, Lawrence Hargrave, Samuel Smalpage, Mark Brook, William Brook, Josua Croivther, John Lister, Samuel Root, William Scott, Richard Horson, Edward Anell, Eden Ellis, Christopher Scott, Thomas Bromell, John Walker, Edward Walker. Francis Tolson or Tomson, William Rcvell, Edward Brook, Wm. Crawshaw, William Dickinson, John Wood, James Pearson, James Hall, Stephen Tomson, Barras, Beilph Harris, Matthew Smurthwaite, R Turner, Joseph Greene, Isaac Home. Francis Jephson, Clarke, Miles Townson, Thomas Webster, F. Walker, Thos. Atkinson, Ralph Webster, John Ellis, Thos. Holmes, and Eadcliffe." As to the handwriting I am quite unacquainted with it, but am pretty certain it is not that of Major General Greatheed or Captain 1 nomas Oates ; but many, if not all the persons here mentioned, there can be no doubt, were engaged in the battles of Adwalton-Moor, Marston-Moor, and Dunbar. ( 'romwell, as Bishop Burnet tells us, used often to say " lie would make the name of an Englishman greater than ever that of a Roman heid been;" and Burnet appears to have thought he fulfilled his promise. Clurcndon even, malignant as ho was, is compelled to say that " CromweWs greatness at home was but a jhadma of the glory which he had eibroad." Live, then, ye illustrious names of departed heroes and patriots, nor let it ever bo forgotten, that the villages of Morley and Gildersomo supplied such men to the armies of ( romwell, Fairfax, and Lambert. * Burnet'a Own Time, vol. 1, p. 130: t yEsop's Fable wcl illustrated In the seventeenth century. 167 APPENDIX IX. It seems highly probable that Mr. John Noble, M.A., of Christ's College, Cambridge, mentioned by Dr. Calamy, in Vol. II., p. 575, of his Memorial, succeeded Mr. Nesse, as Nonconformist Minister, at Morley. And this must have been about 1672 or 3. At all events he, or a gentleman of the same name, was instructing youths at Morley at this period, as appears from the MSS. of Mr. Joseph Lister, of Bradford, who, speaking of his son David, born in 1658, writes thus :—" He was greatly disadvantaged by his masters some years, yet at last he fell under the teaching of a good master; but I was put to table him five years. Then I got Mr. Noble to examine him, who found him to be well instructed ; but in a little time that master, whose name was Sturdie, left the school and became a Popish Priest, so I was then at a loss ; yet I went to Morley, where Mr. Noble taught school, and put my son under him— a diligent, faithful man, where my son profited much, and was fit for the University learning ; but not having a conveniency of disposing him at that time, he stayed and learned logick of him another year." Dr. Calamy's account of Mr. John Noble is so very short and imperfect, that one cannot be quite sure that he and Mr. Lister allude to the same gentleman, yet from various circumstances, I fancy they do. However, as there exists a doubt, I have thrown this memoir into the appendix. GLOSSARY WORDS COMMONLY USED AT MORLEY, AM) IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY THEREOF. A DDLE, to earn by labour. Agate, doing or performing work. Agatewards, to go agatewards, is to accompany. Akin, related, or of kindred. Anent, opposite to. Arr, a spot or freckle — hence the expression, an "arr toad." Arrand, a spider. Arrant, notorious or downright — thus we say, an " arrant rogue." Asker, a small lizard — also called a "newt." A spill — Espitt — Haspenald, a rude or silly clown. This appellation, I suspect to be as old as Edward the First's reign. See Archseol. vol. 16, p. 71. Perhaps it may come from ' ' Vespillones " — robbers or ruffians. Archseol. vol. 2, p. 278. BA WSON, a clamorous noisy person. Barns, children — as old as the times of Chaucer and Piers Ploughman. See Archseol. vol. 1, p. 17. Badger, a dealer in flour, meal, &c. Balk or Bawk, a beam. Baist, to beat — hence the term at Quadrille, "beasted," beaten. Bank, to disappoint. Book, size — for bulk. Bastard, a term of reproach for a mischievous or worthless boy. Beest, the first milk of a cow after calving. />' ck, a rivulet. Bell, to bellow or roar. "Where the hertes* bell." See a stone near Wharncliff-Lodge. Bid, to invite. II ii<- 1, to beat soundly. Wink, to evade. Boon or Booming, a gratuitous assistance or service. Boggard, a ghost or apparition; also a term of reproach. Boggle, to take fright. Boken, to retch or vomit. Breward, the brim of a hat. Bray, to beat or hammer. Brach ns, ferns. Braids, resembles assimil Brat, a child's apron or " pin-a-fore." Brandrilh, an iron frame on which the Yorkshire pudding is baked. "Hertes." stag*. CARKESS, the body of a brute or human being. Call, to abuse or scold. Causey (causeway), a flagged or paved foot-path. Blount's Tens. p. 381. Cant, healthy or vigorous for one's years. Clammed, parched with thirst. Capt, posed or puzzled — thus, "I am capt," is, I am puzzled, or amazed. Clarty, splashy or sticky. Caft, is, with us, the same as daft {i.e. intimidated. ) Clout or Clart, to pelt, to beat, also to daub. Capper, is not only a puzzler, but a thing or person most excellent — " from caput, the head." Cowl, to scrape or collect together, hence cowler or cowlrake. Cappil, to mend the tops of shoes where the toe-end lies. Coivk, cinder, or the core of fruit (e.g. of an apple.) Cowlady, the small beetle, called in the South, the lady-bird. Click, to snatch at. Clout, to pelt — to beat — to patch. Crack, to boast — this is also a Scotch word. It is used by Latimer, Hooper, Tillotson, &c. See Gent's Magazine, May, 1820, p. 71. Crob, to tyrannize over a person. Crumpled, tumbled, ruffled, twisted. Cronk is to croak or sit in an idle posture. Cuddle or Huddle, to embrace ardently, accom- panied with hugging— hugging. Clungy, sticky — adhesive. Cute, smart, neat, clever. Clock, a beatle, or the noise of a hen when she ceases laying eggs. Cluther, to collect and crowd together. Cinglet, a waistcoat— ancient English. Archseol. vol. 16, p. 293. Cr<>,-'.\ UVISON", an awkward staring clown. Gavelock, an iron crow or lever. This seems an Anglo-Saxon word. Gate, a road or May — hence to go "agatewards gate is the Saxon word for way. See Pennant's London, p. 309. Gaumless, idiotic, impotent, sen-. Gawkshaw, a left-handed person.— Gawky, is awk- ward. Garth, a yard or other inclosure. Gain, near, ready, convenient. Sec Lcland's Itine- rary, vol. 1, p. 52. Gizzened, rattling of the throat from strangulation. Gelt, barren or impotent — a gelt pair of partridges are a barren pair. Glent, a fleeting view or hasty sight. Glee, to squint. Glare, a bold, impudent, stare, or fixing of the eyes. Girn, to grin. Old Latimer, in one of his sermons, says — "I have heard say, that in some places they go with the corses, 'girning' and 'flearing,' as though they went to a beare bayting, which thing, no doubt, is 'nought.'" This is a line specimen of our Yorkshire dialect. Greek, the last of a progeny, i.e. litter of pigs, for instance. Grime, to blacken with soot, or a burnt stick. Goodman, master. Luke xxii., v. 11. "Goodman James," &c, we read of in English History ; and we find it in our "Nomine" on riding the stang — Mrs. has beat her Goodman i.e. MasU r. Gytrash, an evil spirit or ghost, sometimes called a "padfoot," resembling a bear. HAP, to wrap or cover up warmly. Hence "Hap- harlot," a warm covering. Haggle, to cut awkwardly, or attempt to lower a bargain. Hague*, the fruit of the hawthorn. Hence "Hag- bush- Lane," near London. Jhdsh, to tie or fasten— also a noose or knot. Heps, the fruit of the briar. Haxpenald or Haspill, a boy shot up like an aspen. "Aid" is the diminutive word of aspen. // well as humour. than their masters. Cardinal W valued ins fool " Patch ' (whom be tenl m i preterit to Henry sih; at u thousand pounds, 17'.' Hamstll, the first us.' of anything. Haver, oaten hence haver cake old English bread, called 1>\ those who do aot know ho^ good it is, •• horse- bread." Hask, dry, parched. //■■ . - ton, " heaJ I rram- mar. - 1 1 f l \- called a crouch, and red. crosses of worn u mi the binder part of the gainienta of rowed, pilgrimag b to Jerusalem, gave rlBe Croucboaci i k, corrupted Into Crookba i: Hence the term " Crutcl ana the libel about Richard the Third's defoni Lurden, lazy. "^Archneol. v. 7, p. 256. Ditto, vol. 17. p. 156. Lig, to lay with or upon. James 1st used this word \ commonly. " My Lord, I bear, ye do not ' lig' with my Lady." Lithing, stiffening or thickening of (''..'/.) gruel. /.moot Lou-, red — on a glow ancient word — "lilly- low" — a bright flame. Hence, perhaps, Loo-Hill, (}.( . ) Beacon-HilL Leathering, an ancient term for beating. See Fos- broke. Locker or Lockyer, an appendage to a box, also a cupboard. Gent.'s Mag. for 1S03, p. 1125. Lops, fleas. Lubberhead, a stupid fellow. Luhberwort, that which makes idle or stupid. An- drew Boorde. 7 ick, to beat or thrash. Leet, to happen or fall out — also to alight — to "leet on" is, to meet with. Lippen, to expect or depend on. I. ug, to pull one's hair. J f ADDLE, to talk incoherently— maddled — stupi- fied. Mauks, maggots. f Tacks, sorts — all macks — all sorts. Mastlegin, a mixture of corn, especially rye, with flour or wheat. Marrow, a pair — fellow to — correspondent to. Matter, to disprove of — as " I dont matter him." Maunder, a low grumble or talking to onesself. Meeierly, tolerably well. MitMns, hedger's strong leather gloves having a thumb-sockett but no fingers. Mell, to meddle or interfere with. Well, a mall or wooden hammer. Melsh, warm or mild, with an inclination to moisture. ^Fence or Menceful, decent, cleanly, respectable. Midding or Midden, a dung-hill. See Clarkson's Eichmond, p. 23. 'lizzie, to rain slightly or dew. 'Fistul, the cow-house. Fathered, decayed. fiddling, tolerably well. ' ridge, a small gnat. 'fummers. morice dancers. Ifouldewarp, a mole. This word is common with our old Historians — especially Speed and Hall. \foulter, a miller's pay in flour, &c. for grinding. Muck, dirt. See Nichols's Leicestershire, vol. 6, p. 2— 3S0. XANPIE, a magpie. Nazzald, an insignificant lad — "aid," as in hespi- nald. N"aup, to strike one on the head. Xcsh or Nesh, fragile. Nifle, to steal by a little at each time. Y< b, a point, beak, or bill, as applied to a bonnet or bird. V< wt or Ash r, a small lizzard — ancient word. VengnaiU, corns on the feet. Vudge, to jog with the elbow, especially to beckon. ONELT, lonely, solitary. \m 11 or Ouizle, a blackbird. Us or 0it8, refuse, hay, &C. left by cattle, '7, r, the alder tree. 171 PARKIN, a cake made of oatmeal and treacle. Pick, an emetic — also v, to vomit — to throw down, &c. Pause, to kick. Pockarr'd, marked with the small pox. Arr'd is spotted, marked. See ante. Piggin, a small pail, with one handle, all of wood. Posnet or Postnet, an iron pot of small size, and one handle. This is an ancient utensil and word. See Archaeol, vol. 17, p. 70. Pynot, a magpie. QUISIIIX or Wishin, a cushion, but spelt by Chaucer as it is pronounced here, and spelt in the Topcliffe Register. Quandary, a difficulty — or state of amazement. Queer, strange. Quarrel, a small diamond pane of glass. PAT TEX, a rat. This word may teach us how careful we should be in our etymologies. See also the word ' ' finkle. " Raffle-copjjiii, a loose, vagrant, turbulent fellow. Ram, foetid — " as ram as a fox." Rapscallion, much the same as raffle-coppin. Maggabrash, ragamuffins, or despicable folk. Rannal or Raddle, to ruffle or rub up the hair. See p. 197. Raps, news — " what raps ? " Reek, smoke — rec or rcec is Saxon. — See Bosworth, p. 66. Ratch, to stretch — hence also to tell a He or ex- aggerate. Reckon, to suppose. Saxon "reccan " bos. Roupy, hoarse — ancient word. Arclueol, vol. 17, p. 156. Rig, the back, or ridge — hence "righold" — "rig- tree," &c. Righold, "ubi Testiculus Unus in dorso " retinetur — a term of abuse. Roar, to weep (roaring is crying). Reentry or Roynetree, the mountain ash — wiggin or witch hazle — supposed a sovereign antidote against witchcraft. Runs-thin or "thin-it-kit" — (/. e.) — when a person breaks his engagement. Run-the-rig is, to make a butt of any one. Rumbustical, noisy — overbearing. Roumy, spacious — "room" — a room. SAID, to be soon "said" is, to be soon quieted, or put down. Sam, to collect. Seime, fat or grease — hence swine seime. Seek or Suck, a bag, a word of .similar sound in most languages. Sacklesa, simple -impotent — helpless. Scrat, scratch — the itch — hence '-Old Scrat" — the devil. Scraffle, to quarrel, to scramble, to be industrious. Sleek, a small coal. Seg, a castrated bull. Skitter, to spill or slop. Slawer, saliva or spittle — to foam at the mouth — ancient Engushword. Hone's Table Book, v. 1, p. 493. Sludge, mud. Shunt, to give way, or not preserve the original position. Slack, slow, loose— also a flat low piece of ground. Smittle, contagion—/ 1 , to infect. Snavvle, to speak through the nose. Sneck, the latch of a door. Snert, to snear at, or laugh to scorn. Snape, to check. Start, to splash. Snig, to cut off Snod, smooth. Sken, to look askance. Spane, to wean. Spice, sweet meats. Steik. to latch (e. g. ) a door. Sim or Sew, a sow — the plural of which would be sews, — or spelt "sues." See Note below. Steim, to bespeak. Stang, a long pole. Stub, to break, or become ruined — also to grub up. Stee, a ladder. Storken, to stiffen, or get cool. Steg, a gander. Store, estimation or regard to " set store by." Stir, a disturbance or commotion. Stalled, wearied, surfeited, disgusted. Skuft, the "skuft of the neck" seems to name of it. Shot, an account or sum owing — ancient word. In Queen Elizabeth's reign, there was a custom at Chester (then called an ancient one) for the Alderman, Justices, &c. to meet every Sunday in the Inner Pentice, to have "a shot" or a drinking, and every man to spend a penny — Lyson's Mag. Brit. v. 2, p. 601. Soft, simple. Steil, a handle. Shut, to get rid of — also to spend extravagantly. SpeVe, a splinter, or stick pointed for thatching. Stutf, to stammer. Swap, to exchange. Swarm, to climb with the knee (c. g. ) up a tree. Sir, itch, some experience — or a scrap of. Sivaymous, squemish — shy. Swinge, to whip with a rod, or to burn. Sweal, to melt rapidly. Sturdy, sulky and obstinate. Skeltered, shrunk or bent. Skill, to know or understand. Sparrables, nails usually put into clogs. Spurring*, banns of marriage — or askings at Church. Swelt, to sweat or perspire profusely. Switch, a twig — also v. to beat lightly. Succor, boild treacle or sugar. This word sueear, as well as succarcande is mentioned in the Clifford's Household Book. Whalley, Anno 1521. See History of, p. 100. TASTRILL, a knave or mischievous fellow. This ancient word is a corruption of kesterell, or rather coystrell. See Arelueologia, v. 17. page 143. Taws, marbles. "He cuekt his taw and shot his bolt." Tent, to hinder to take, to take care of. T> ng, to -tin--. '/' Throttle, to squeeze tlio windpipe, or strangle. ThroppU, the throat Threap, to maintain vehemently. 77/.//.-, to thatch (an ancient word). Thoil, to bestow without grudging. '/'"]>. a ram. Thrash, any worthless thing— a hindrance — also a cord to check, page 195. T>riii'i< , an earwig. Trig, to till "Trig thee laury"— fill thy belly. Trig— Alveus. Tusstl, t«> strive, or wrestle with. Ta-iiK ;/, fretful— perversa URCHIN, an hedgehog. WAST El I EMIT, alas! or This is a peculiar phrase, a is seen in Wae-worth-thee. woe is the heart. The change of o into Ware, to expend or lay out. War, worse. Work, work (ancient word) also to ache. WatU r, water— anciently pronounced waiter. 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