ive fight for the
championship came off between Brain and Johnson. It was an appalling
spectacle, and struck dumb with horror, even in that day, the witnesses
to the dreadful conflict. Big Ben was the victor, and remained champion
of England from that date until his death _three years_ (not "four
months") later--8th April, 1794. "Lavengro," carried away by the
enthusiasm of early reminiscence, allowed himself to declare that his
father read the Bible to Brain in his latter moments. But in 1794 Thomas
Borrow was busy recruiting soldiers in Norfolk, one hundred miles from
the scene of the dying pugilist. However, the error was probably one of
date merely, and during the year 1791 Thomas doubtless read the Bible to
him in London, since we learn from Pierce Egan that "Ben derived great
consolation from hearing the Bible read, and generally solicited those of
his acquaintance who called upon him to read a chapter to him". {555}--3.
Captain: The West Norfolk Militia was raised in 1759 by the third Earl of
Orford. He died in December, 1791, when the regiment was _reorganised_
(not "raised") under the new Colonel, the Hon. Horatio Walpole,
subsequently the sixth Earl of Orford. Thus in February, 1792, Thomas
was transferred from the Guards to be Sergeant-major in the W.N.M., and
stationed at East Dereham. He married the following year, became Quarter-
master (with the rank of Ensign) in 1795, and Adjutant (Lieutenant) in
February, 1798. This his final promotion doubtless gave him the
_honorary_ rank of Captain, since in the _Monthly Army List_ for 1804 we
read: "Adjutant, Thomas Borrow, _Capt._". But a letter before me dated
18th April, 1799, from his Major, is officially addressed to him as
"Lieut. Borrow, Adjutant," etc., etc.--3. Petrement: Our author knew very
well that his mother's maiden name was Ann _Perfrement_, pronounced and
written _Parfrement_ at the present day by those of the family we have
met. The correct spelling is found on the tombstone of her sister,
Sarah, at Dereham (1817), and on that of her brother, Samuel, at
Salthouse near Holt (1864).--3. Castle of De Burgh: A fanciful Borrovian
epithet applied to Norwich Castle. Nor did the exiles _build_ the Church
of St. Mary-the-Less, in Queen Street, Norwich; it was a distinct parish
church long before Elizabeth's reign, and in her time the parish was
consolidated with the neighbouring one of St. George's, Tombland, while
the church became municipal pro