unt of this perambulation, of which the following is but a
summary, will be found in the appendix to Dr. Oliver's "History":--

On Monday, May 24th, the churchwardens and their party assembled at the
Rev. Thomas Walker's, and proceeded to a cottage near the eighth
milestone on the Stafford Road, and at the well in the cottage garden
there, the Gospel was read for the first time. (It was the custom at
these Rogation processionings to read the Gospel under trees--especially
those growing near to some reputed "holy" well--located on or near a
parish boundary, hence their name "Gospel trees.")

From thence a lane near the third milestone on the same road led the
procession to Kinvaston, where the Gospel was read at an Elder in the
fold-yard of a house of a Mrs. Wooton. Then the procession went to
Hatherton, the seat of the late Moreton Walhouse, where the Gospel was
again read on the site of an old well. Proceeding to Hilton, the seat of
the Vernons, the Gospelling was repeated within the gates fronting the
house.

Crossing the Cannock Road, the Gospel was read for the fifth and last
time, that day, under an oak tree in the road near the house of Mr. W.
Price, of Featherstone.

On the second day, May 25th, the parishioners assembled as before, and
proceeded direct to Wednesfield, where the Gospel was read in the Chapel,
the clerk being in readiness at the door to receive the procession.
Thence the perambulation was continued to Essington, where the common was
found to be enclosed; the Gospel was read a second time there at the
Goswell Bush, which, standing in the Bloxwich Road, was found to be
surrounded by a new growth of trees. (Just previous to this period there
had been a rage for enclosing commons--the people's lands.) Turning
back, the party proceeded to Pelsall, where the Gospel was read the third
and last time, that day, in the Chapel there.

On the third day, which was Thursday, May 27th, the assembly was made at
the Swan Inn, and the procession was formed there. The way was led
straight to Willenhall, where the Gospel was read for the first time in
the Chapel, the expectant clerk being there in readiness to perform the
duty. From thence the perambulation was continued to Park Brook, which
was crossed; returning, the way was taken to Bentley Hall, the seat of
Edward Anson, Esq., where the second reading of the Gospel was taken at
an elder bush at the back of the house. (Elders seem to have taken the
pl