first suggest some divine of the last century rising at the head of the market-table, and proposing it as a toast, especially as we had an incumbent much inclined to such sentiments so expressed, within the influence of the classic period of Parson Trulliber. This reverend ecclesiastic, however, may be supposed better than he seemed; if his voice was blatant in the street, it is said to have been Vox humana in the church, its powerful organism kept sleepers awake, and he was heard of, and promoted to a chancery living in Shropshire, by no less a patron than Lord Chancellor Eldon. I have been told that he was very fond of the fat eels of the river Roden, as well as of those of Hanmer Mere; but whether he has joined him, who expiates far off "Bolsena's eels and cups of muscadel," who can tell?

One of the uses of a church bell is for the clerk presented to the living to ring himself in with it, which he does by way of taking possession, having first closed the doors.

We obtained the right of presentation, which I have twice exercised, by the following grant, still bearing the Abbot of Haghmon or Haughmond's seal in green wax attached to the parch

ment :

"Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit, Ricardus Abbas Ecclesie Sancti Johannis Evangeliste de Haghmon et Conventus ejusdem loci salutem in Domino. Noveritis nos unanimi consensu et assensu dedisse concessisse et hoc presenti scripto nostri confirmasse Johanni de Hannemer armigero et heredibus suis nominationem Vicarie ecclesie parochialis de Hannemer in vacantiis. Ita quod predictus Johannes et heredes sui habeant nominationem predictam, absque inpedimento sive intrusione nostra seu successorum nostrorum inperpetuum. Et ad vicariam predictam toties quoties in futurum vacare contigeret nobis seu successoribus nostris presbyterum idoneum nominare debeant. Ita quod nos dictus Abbas et successores nostri virtute nominationis predicte presbyterum per dictum Johannem seu heredes suos sic quoquo modo nominatum Episcopo loci diocesis ad vicariam Ecclesie de Hannemer predicte presentare teneamus. In cujus rei testimonium tam sigillum mei dicti Abbatis quam sigillum commune ecclesie de Haghmon presentibus sunt appensa. Datum in domo nostro capitulari de Haghmon duodecimo die mensis Septembris Anno Domini millesimo quadricentesimo vicesimo quarto (1424) ac regni Regis Henrici Sexti post Conquestum tertio. Et nos Willielmus Dei gratia Coventrensis et Lich. episcopus ad specialem rogationem partium predictorum sigillum nostrum fecimus his apponere in fidem et testimonium premissorum. Datum in manerio nostro de Haywode xvto die dicti mensis Septembris, Anno Domini supradicto et nostre consecrationis quinto."

Appropriated seats may be objected to in a

church, though habit claims a place, and is not backward to assert it. There is, however, before me proof that they are no innovations, but rather matters of inheritance and conveyance, with cognisance of the Archdeacon, before the Reformation; also that the laity sat in cancellâ, which was not a holy of holies, as some would make it now.

"Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit salutem. Sciatis me Edwardum ap David ap Edmund remisisse relaxasse et omnino pro me et heredibus meis in perpetuum quietum clamasse Domino Thome Hanmer militi, ac patrono Vicarie de Hanmer, heredibus et assignatis suis totum jus titulum meum et clameum que unquam habui habeo seu quibus modis in futurum habere potero in unâ formula sive sedile in cancellâ ecclesie parochialis de Hanmer predicte. Ita quod neque ego predictus Edwardus neque heredes mei neque aliquis alius pro nobis seu nomine nostro aliquod jus titulum vel clameum in predictâ formulâ sive sedile de cetero exigere clamare seu vendicare potuimus nec debemus [words illegible]. Et ego predictus Edwardus et heredes mei predictam formulam sive sedile prefato Domino Thome Hanmer heredibus et assignatis suis warrantabimus in perpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium his presentibus scripto meo relaxatorio sigillum meum apposui, et quia sigillum meum pluribus est incognitum sigillum Venerabilis domini domini Ricardi Hanmer, decani decanatus de Maelor Saesneg, his apponimus [word ille

gible]. Et nos Dominus Ricardus Hanmer,' decanus decanatus de Maelor Saesneg, ad speciale rogatus dicto Edwardo sigillum officii nostri his apposuimus, in fide et testimonium premissorum. Datum sexto die Aprilis anno regni Regis Henrici Octavi post conquestum Angliæ sexto et anno Domini millesimo quinquagesimo quartodecimo.

Endorsed in ancient writing, "Ed. ap Dd. ap Edmond, for a forme in the chancel in Hanmer Church."

We possess the representative if not the real portraits of the Sir Thomas Hanmer mentioned in this deed, and of Richard his father, in the two old pieces of stained glass, representing each of them kneeling, clothed in armorial surcoats, which were formerly in the window over the north door, and in the east window of the north aisle of the church, and which, before they were broken, had the relative inscriptions under each. А сору fortunately exists of them.

"Orate pro bono statu Domini Thome Hanmer militis et domine Matilde uxoris sue, qui istam fenestram vitriari fecerunt;" and

1 I have seen somewhere the name of Richard Hanmer in a list of the Year's Pilgrims to the holy places at Rome; possibly it was this churchman.

2 This was Matilda, daughter of Sir Piers Newton, knight, second wife of Sir Thomas, whom he married 18th King Henry

"Orate pro bono statu Ricardi Hanmer armigeri et pro bono statu Margarete uxoris sue, qui istam fenestram vitriari fecerunt." 1

They appear, however, to have been both put up at the same date, 26th Henry VIII. A.D.

M.CCCCC.XXXIV.

David ap Edmund, father of Edward, the other party to the deed, ranks among the classic Welsh poets, and several of his compositions are extant. I have not seen them, and I believe they are not printed; but they are to be found among the valuable collection of Welsh MSS. formerly at

VIII., settling on the marriage (of which, however, there was no issue) his manor and lands of Hamptons Wood, in Shropshire.

1 There were also, as I find by an old drawing of 1670, only recently shown to me, two more inscriptions, but without figures, "Orate pro bono statu Johannis Hanmer

uxoris ei qui istam fenestram vitriari fecerunt, A.D. MCCCCCXXXV.” and another of the same date and tenor, but wanting in both the names. The dates of all the four are 26th and 27th Henry VIII. John therefore was John or Jenkin of the Fens, and his wife Margaret Dymock, and it may be noted that the North was always called the Fens Aisle before the township of Bronington was made a district. The other, from whose window Time has not only torn his household coat, but all fragments of his name, I cannot identify. John of Bettisfield, however, whose daughter and heiress Joan married Mr. Fowler of St. Thomas, was living at that period.