whilst "his easy presence checked no decent joy," such a decorum presided over his whole demeanour, as was a powerful restraint upon every rudeness or impropriety of conduct-In short, he was a gentleman and an exemplary Christian,"

CHURCH.

The original form of this Structure (dedi cated to ALL SAINTS) is still discernable, being that of a Cross; but the substance of it hath undergone so total a change by the necessary reparations which, to the credit of the inhabitants, have been done upon it from time to time, as to give it, in some respects, the appearance of a new building. The Walls are, for the most part, of Chalk or Stone faced with Flints to the height of five or six feet, and surmounted with brickwork; the Southern end of the Transept, with the Vicar's burial-place, the North side of the North aisle, and the same side and end of the Chancel are covered with plaster or stucco-work: the aisles and the transept being neatly covered with blue slate; and the Nave, which rises considerably higher than the rest, with tiles.

The only part of this structure which exhibits

a specimen of the ancient state of the whole, is the South aisle of the Chancel, which is built of Chalk irregularly intermixed with Flints.

The inside consists of a Nave, with its North and South Ailes, from each of which it is separated by four pointed arches, supported by low octangular columns. These aisles were rebuilt with brick, and the inside of the Church completely repaired and new ceiled in 1721. The South Aisle is continued through the Chancel; the North side of which is occupied by a spacious Room, in which the business of the Parish is transacted, and a lower building of Chalk, which serves for a Vestry. At the West end of the Church is a gallery, which was "the gift of ROGER POPE, Gent. Anno 1621. In it is a handsome Organ Inscribed; "This Organ was erected by the voluntary subscriptions of the respectable Inhabitants of this Town, and Hamlet of Hảm, Anno Domini 1793; proposed and directed by W, Tallemach, W, French, Churchwardens; " against which, is an Hatchment to the memory of the much lamented Princess Charlotte of Wales and Saxe Cobourg: and on the south side are two others, whereof one was erected by the Bailiffs and Freemen with forty marcs given

about

about the year 1618 by Edward Buckland, toward beautifying the Church; the other being "the Guift of MARK SNELLING, 1633." Over the north aisle is another handsome gallery, on which is inscribed; "This gallery was erected at the expence ot the inhabitants of this parish, by order of the Vestry, Anno Domini 1793; William Tallemach and William French, Churchwardens." The length of the nave and chancel together is 145 feet; that of the transept, which is the greatest breadth of the Church, 97 feet and six inches; the whole, particularly the nave, being very lofty.

In the centre of the building, where the transept intersects the main body, stands the Tower, on which was formerly a spire of timbers covered with lead. On Candlemas Eve, 1 Feb. 23 Hen. VI. Anno 1444-5, the steeple was fired by lightning, in a storm which, considering the season of the year, was remarkably extensive; for at the same time, the Churches of Baldock in Hertfordshire, Walden and Waltham in Essex, and that of St. Paul in London, were also much damaged. The steeple being repaired, continued till the 26th Nov. 1703; when the spire and tower received so much injury from the memor

able storm of wind which happened on that day, that the inhabitants were under the necessity of taking down the former, and a great part of the latter. What remained of the tower, being mostly of chalk; the new work erected thereupon being of bricks overlaid with stucco. On the south side of the tower, near the top, is a stone inserted with this inscription, "This tower was re-built, Anno Domini 1708, GIDEON HARDINGE, Vicar; HENRY LIDGOULD, and TERENCE MAHUn, Churchwardens: " and yet it seems that after this, they had not laid aside the design of erecting a spire upon it; for on 2d. April, 1711, they pre sented a petition to Parliament, praying a grant of 1500l. to enable them to re-place the spire, and to complete the reparations of the Church. But this was never done; nor does anything farther relative to the petition appear upon the Journals of the House of Commons, except the referring it to a Committee, whose report therefore probably was not in its favour.

No part of the present structure appears to be older than the reign of Richard II. the south chancel seems to be about that age; it is sepa rated from the middle chancel by pointed gothic arches, and light clustered columns. Both these

chancels

chancels are surrounded by wooden stalls. In the parish accounts in the reign of Elizabeth, mention is made of St. James's chancel, St. Catherine's chancel, Trinity chancel, and the high chancel. The north now called the belfry chancel is small; the windows are large, with flat arches, of the kind which came into use in the reign of Henry VII. In the south chancel is a Piscina, with a rich Gothic canopy.

Chapel.

Adjoining to the south side of the chancel was a Chapel dedicated to the B. V, Mary; but we have no account of its foundation.

Badewin Buscarious, Citizen of London, gave to God, St. Mary All Saints, and the fabric of the Chapel of the B. V. Mary of Kyngeston, for the health of his own soule, and the souls of his parents, and of all faithful people. 12d. annual rent, to be received of the heirs of William le Tanner, or their assigns, at Easter and Michaelmas, out of a certain house in Kingeston, situate between the tenement of the said William on the West, and of John le Tanner on the East: also 6d. anual rent, with reliefs, escheats, and all other appurtenances, to be received of William Godman, or his assigns, at Easter and Michael

mas