James Conway Walter

“ John Brown, the Horncastle Laureate, and others, he helped to amuse considerable audiences, in town and neighbourhood. In comedy he could take all the parts himself, rapidly changing his dress, and at one moment adopting the high falsetto tones of an old crone, and the next moment speaking in the deeper accents of a strong man. It is greatly to his credit that, only having for many years a small shop, famed chiefly for his two specialites, "bull eyes" and "Grantham ginger-bread," he brought up a large family, who have taken good positions in various parts of the country. ”

“ THE DISPENSARY
AY well be said to be the most important charity in the town, not only from the valuable services which it has, through many years, rendered to the suffering poor, but because it was a pioneer institution of its kind; while the area of its usefulness has probably been more extensive than that of any similar charity in the county.
Dispensaries were established at Louth in the year 1803, at Lincoln in 1826, at Grantham in 1838, at Boston in 1852, at Market Rasen in 1857; but Horncastle was in advance of the earliest of these by more than a dozen years. ”

“ But alas! liveried servants, crests and arms, and other emblems of wealth have become things of the past; for when this Robert died the property passed to his son, Thomas Kemp, in whose hands the patrimony speedily evaporated; and other members of the family are now dispersed, "their places knowing them no more," save as a lingering memory, which will soon be gone.
The interesting old hall and the manor were then bought by Reuben Roberts, Esq., of Linden House, Horncastle, who resides there in the summer. He also owns other land in the parish. ”

“ The great feature of the reign of Stephen was the large number of castles erected by lords who were almost more powerful than their sovereign, and Adelias built her castle at Horncastle, where she resided in great state until, on her favouring the cause of the Empress Maud, daughter of the previous king, Henry I. (whereas Stephen was only his nephew) , her lands were confiscated, and, as we have already seen, only restored on condition that her castle was demolished. [21] This restoration was, however, only for life and on her demise the manor reverted to the crown. ”

“ He held, as opposed to the uniformity of worship by law established, that each minister, with his congregation, were "a law unto themselves;" that each such small community had a right to be independent of all others; that it was not ordination which gave a minister authority to preach, but the fact that he was the nominee of a congregation; that councils or synods might be useful in giving advice, but that they could not enforce their decisions, and had no punitory power of censure, or excommunication, against any who chose to adopt an independent course. ”

“ So long as Horncastle is watered by the Bain and the Waring she will bear the brand of the British sway, once paramount in her valley.
These river names, however, are not the only relics of the Britons found in Horncastle. Two British urns were unearthed about 50 years ago, where is now the garden of the present vicarage, and another was found in the parish of Thornton, about a mile from the town, when the railway was being made in 1856. ”

“ Many witnesses testified to the activity of Leche, in going to private houses and inducing the men to join, and that the gentlemen only joined from fear of violence. Richard Mekylwhite of Horncastle was accused by Thomas Lytellbury, that he was "a great procurer" (of men) , and was "one of the causers of George Wolsey's death," (a servant of the late Cardinal Wolsey) .
William Leche, with a great company, went to Bolingbroke, to take the Bishop's Chancellor, Dr. John Rayne, who was lying there, sick; he was brought on horseback to Horncastle amid cries of "kill him! kill him!" ”

“ THE SCIENCE & ART SCHOOL.
With the establishment of Technical Schools this country may be said to have entered on a new era, in national education, which, in its development, may lead to results, the importance of which can hardly yet be realized. The possibilities are almost unlimited. A wide-spread network has been created, which may bring even the humblest members of our artisan families within its deneficial meshes, while also working at intervals, as opportunities offer, in our remotest villages. ”

“ We next take two of the well chosen curates of the Vicar, T. J. Clarke, who were contemporaries at Horncastle; Charles Dashwood Goldie of St. John's College, Cambridge, where he took Mathematical Honours in 1847, was ordained as Curate of Horncastle in 1848. An able preacher and indefatigable worker in the parish, he at once made his mark, not only in the town, but in the neighbourhood; he and his beautiful wife being welcome guests in many a rectory and vicarage. ”

“ Conflicts between good and evil continued to disturb him for several years. When a young man, at a dance in Burslem, he was so suddenly convicted of sin, that he abruptly withdrew. Shortly afterwards he married, but he and his wife quarralled so violently that he left her, and went off, taking with him only his mother's prayer book. After some wandering, without a penny in his pocket, he returned and begged his wife to attend the Wesleyan Chapel regularly with him, but she refused. He then, prayer book in hand, took an oath that he would serve God and avoid dissipation. ”

“ Opposite the Bull, the leading hotel in the town, replete with all modern requirements, stands the King's Head, an old "public," still remarkable for its low thatched roof; the reason for which is said to be, that by the forms of the will of a former owner, it was bequeathed to his successor, with the condition attached, that it should continue to be thatched: a condition which the advance of civilization may, in a few years' time, make it difficult to fulfil. ”

“ The Court of Directors to apply to the Privy Council (Board of Trade) for permission to purchase, or rent, land or buildings, as may seem to be needed; or to let, or lease, buildings, offices, &c., as they may think fit; or to make mortgages, conveyances, &c., for the purposes of the company. A reserve fund (by clause 67) to be established, by setting apart one per cent of the profits in any year; the accumulation to be employed for the benefit of the company, as may seem to them desirable. ”

“ Know that we, by the guidance of God, and for the health of our soul, and of the souls of our ancestors and descendants, have granted, and confirmed by this present charter, to God, and the church of the blessed Mary of Carlisle, and to the Venerable Father, Walter, Bishop of Carlisle," &c. It then goes on to specify, among other privileges, that the bishop shall have "all chattells of felons and fugitives, all amerciaments and fines from all men and tenants of the manor and soke; that the bishop and his successors shall be quit for ever to the king of all mercies, fines (&c.) ”

“ The mob marched about with a standard, carried by Philip Trotter, clad in the armour of Lionel Dymoke, which he had taken from the church of St. Mary. The devices on the standard were "a plough," to encourage the husbandmen; the "challice and Host," because the church plate and jewellery were to have been taken away; the "wands" were to encourage the people "to fight in Cristis cause;" the "horn" betokening Horncastle.
About 100 persons marched to Scrivelsby, and threatened to drag out Edward Dymoke, the sheriff, and other gentlemen. ”

“ The church, dedicated to All Saints, is a mean structure, erected in the 18th century, of brick and Spilsby sandstone, standing on the site of an earlier church, of which nothing seems to remain except the font. It consists of nave and chancel, both on a very small scale, and a wooden bell-turret, with one small bell. The north and west walls are of sandstone, the former covered with a thick coating of tar to keep out the moisture; the east wall has alternate layers of brick and sandstone. Some improvements have been made in recent years, much needed to make it even a decent place of worship. ”

“ He noticed, in the course of his duties, that in the native schools, beside the regular paid teachers, the more advanced pupils were also employed to instruct younger scholars; each pupil thus having a tutor, and each tutor a pupil; a system by which both were enabled to learn faster, and led to take more interest in their work, than would otherwise have been generally possible. Being an enthusiast in educational matters, he resigned his chaplaincy, with its good stipend, to inaugurate, and himself carry on, a school for the children of Europeans in the Presidency, on the same principles. ”

“ Of what may be called the close of this early historic period in connection with Horncastle there is little more to be said. The Roman forces withdrew from Britain about A.D. 408. The Britons harried by their northern neighbours, the Picts and Scots, applied for assistance to the Saxons, who, coming at first as friends, but led to stay by the attractions of the country, gradually over-ran the land and themselves in turn over-mastered the Britons, driving them into Wales and Cornwall. ”

“ The Croft Street Chapel, or New Jerusalem Church, is both structurally and intellectually, the most recent development of Nonconformity in Horncastle. The founder of this community was a personality so remarkable that it may be well here to give a brief sketch of him.
Emanuel Swedenborg, son of a Lutheran bishop, was born at Stockholm, in 1689. During more than the first half of his life he was distinguished as a hard worker in the field of science, and from his many clever inventions, and valuable public services, he was ennobled by his sovereign. ”

“ At length she said, "Dear Mr. White will they never begin?" His reply was "My good girl, your leg is off, and the Lord has spared you all the pain." She lived to be a strong healthy woman and always blessed the curate. ”

“ AVING dealt with the places of worship in the town, we now proceed to give an account of its schools; and among these the Grammar School, from its antiquity, as well as for other reasons, claims precedence.
This Institution, on its present foundation, dates from the reign of Elizabeth, [1] one of whose special characteristics was her warm interest in education, which led her to encourage her nobles, and more wealthy subjects, to promote the cause. ”

“ Truly the kingly government was a paternal one to take cognizance of such petty local matters. The "coggle" pavement of Horncastle is often complained of, but at least it had the royal sanction.
A Roll of the 18th year of Edward III. (m 8) , dated Westminster, 28 June, 1344, is directed "to his very dear and faithful John de Kirketon, Fitz Hugh de Cressy," (and others) assigning them "to choose and array 100 men at arms in the County of Lincoln," and (among others) "6 hoblers in the vill of Horncastre, to be at Portsmouth, to set out with the King against Philip VI., de Valesco (Valois) ." ”

“ But in Horncastle the constable, by way of setting a thief to catch a thief, had, it was said, himself in his earlier years been a great smuggler, while in his age he was a spindle-shanked old man, whom a boy could knock down. Roused by the insecurity of property, the authorities decided to import a London detective, disguised in plain clothes. He came, and for a while marauders, among whom the secret soon leaked out, carefully stayed their hands. After a time, however, robberies began to recur; especially a corner shop near "the far bridge," was the scene of considerable pilfering. ”

“ A not improbable explanation, however, may be found in the fact that the great August fair, established by Royal Charter, closed on August 21st, and unruly characters were often left, as dregs of such gatherings in the place, murders even being not uncommon. By charter of the same king the Bishop of Carlisle had power to try felons at Horncastle, and a spot on the eastern boundary of the parish is still known as "Hangman's Corner," where those who were capitally convicted in his court were executed. ”

“ A gap now occurs in our history, which can only be filled in, for a time, by conjecture. On the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII., the possessions of Kirkstead Abbey were granted by him to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk; on whose death without issue, they reverted to the sovereign, and were re-granted to the Earl of Lincoln, of the Fiennes Clinton family, subsequently Dukes of Newcastle. ”

“ She was a most enthusiastic and energetic worker, and under her the schools attained the highest point of success, both as regards the number of pupils attending and the variety of subjects taught. The school at this time had attained to the highest degree of efficiency which it is ever likely to reach. Not only had Horncastle pupils taken more prizes than those of any other technical school in the Parts of Lindsey, but on the visit of the Government Inspector, Mr. Minton, at the prize-giving in September, 1896, he stated that the school occupied the third place in all England. ”

“ T. J. Clarke, in whose vicariate, as has been stated, the church was built. The subjects are, running across and in the centre, the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and Transfiguration; above being the Resurrection, and Christ sitting in glory; and in the lower row, our Lord as the Good Shepherd, the Man of sorrows and the Light of the world.
In the chancel walls, north and south, are triple windows in the same style, but with plain columns and white glass. Below the east window is a stone Reredos, having four panels with decorated arches on each side, north and south ”

“ We have given an account of the rise and progress of Wesleyanism, but, as that society eventually made a complete separation from the Church of England, of which its founder remained through life an ordained minister and communicant, so the seeds of disruption spread in itself. ”

“ A man, known as Aty Rushton (short for Horatio) , who lived in Horncastle, on the West Ashby Road, about the same period, and let out horses on hire, being in Lincoln, laid a wager that he would set off from Lincoln, above hill, just after the moon rose, and ride to Horncastle, 21 miles, before the moon should rise there; which would be later, the town being in a hollow, with a steep hill in the west to hide the moon for some time; while Lincoln is on a hill, with a view to the west over low county, where the moon would be seen earlier. ”

“ The interior of the nave has a massive heavy roof of beams somewhat rudely cut, with traces of former colouring.
The four western bays of the arcade are Early English, with low arches, the easternmost bay seems to have been added at a later date, the arch higher and wider. The moulding between two of the north arches terminates in a head, on each side of which an evil spirit is whispering. Another terminal is the head of a woman wearing the "branks," or "scold's bridle." On the south side of the chancel arch is a rood loft staircase turret, of which both the lower and upper door remain. ”

“ He was then appointed Master of the Free School at Newark, two years later removed to the school at Sleaford, being presented by Lady Carr. There he lived until the Restoration, and then resumed his Vicarage at Horncastle, until he died in 1678, aged 84. "He was a grave and venerable person (says Walker) , of a sober and regular conversation, and so studious of peace, that when any differences arose in his parish, he never rested till he had composed them. He had likewise so well principled his parish that, of 250 families in it, he left but one of them Dissenters at his death." ”

“ Followers gradually gathered round him, inspired by his own enthusiasm. He visited England frequently; and before his death, in London, A.D. 1772, he had established congregations in England, Ireland, Wales, France, Holland, Sweden, Russia, and even in Turkey and America. It is said that several Anglican clergy adopted his views, though still retaining charges in their own church.
The special tenets of the sect, which he founded, seem to have been, that, while believing in one God, they held that He was the Christ; that Christ always existed in human form, but not in human soul ”

“ Hitherto instruction in the country parishes had been provided through the Committee of the Science and Art School, at Horncastle, but from this date each parish was to have its own Technical Education Committee, elected annually, with the other parish officials; and these were to apply direct to the Head Secretary, at Lincoln, for such instruction as they might think desirable, parishes uniting for this purpose if they chose to do so. More money than heretofore was now being expended on the Science and Art School in Lincoln, and the grants for the country lessons were now greatly reduced. ”

“ He afterwards went to London to learn his trade as a house decorator. He married in 1833 a Miss Gainsborough, of Alford. In 1838 he went to Lincoln, and for some years carried on his trade there. In 1848 he returned to Horncastle, and still carrying on his trade, became a member of a literary coterie, who used to hold meetings in the coffee room of the Bull Hotel. In 1860 he bought a house on the Louth Road, which he opened as the Globe Inn, and which became the resort of his literary friends. Literature, however, did not conduce to business. ”

“ The rectory of Moorby is consolidated with the vicarage of Wood Enderby.
By deed dated Nov. 24th, 1855, the guardians of the poor, by consent of the ratepayers, gave certain land in Moorby for the site of a parish school to the minister, churchwardens, and overseers, and their successors; and more recently a school district has been formed for the parishes of Moorby, Wood Enderby, Claxby, and Wilksby; the school, which was built in 1855, being enlarged in 1872, to provide the accommodation required by this union. ”

“ Isaac Watts, who had been tutor to the sons of Sir John Hartop, became the popular minister of a Congregational Chapel, in Mark Lane, London, in 1693. Dr. Philip Doddridge was also a valued member, as Minister at Norwich, Northampton, Kibworth near Market Harborough, and other places. From his candour and learning he held friendly relations with the highest dignitaries of the established church; he is chiefly known for his two great works, The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, and his Family Expositor. ”

“ Similarly valuable instruction has been given in later years, but, with diminished funds available, and classes smaller, owing doubtless to the exhaustion in some degree of the stream of candidates for instruction, compared with its flush at the outset of the school's existence, fewer lectures on these extra subjects have been given; and instruction has been confined to more ordinary, but not less useful, work, in drawing, geometric and from models; modelling in clay, painting in water colours and oils, book-keeping, arithmetic, shorthand, French, and so forth. ”

“ He was not a native of Horncastle, but lived in the town more than 60 years, and became so identified with its interests, in many ways, that he may well be regarded as one of its "worthies." Born in 1814, at Braintree, in Essex, he was the son of a veterinary surgeon in that town, his family having previously there owned the once well-known coaching house, named The Horn Inn; although earlier members of his family had occupied a higher position; one of them, named Thorowgood, having founded the Grammar School at Oxford. ”

“ He was interred in the chapel yard, a large stone on the west side marking his grave, while a tablet on the south wall, at the east end of the interior of the chapel bears this inscription, "Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John Pain, who was ordained Pastor over this church and congregation, Anno Domini 1821. As a minister he was talented, zealous and useful, his chief desire being to bring men unto God. As a man he was amiable and affectionate, his private life bearing testimony to the truth of those counsels he publicly taught. He departed this life April 11th, 1844, aged 44 years." ”