itary but mute historian of the pensive plain, let
us now rest; it stands at the very extreme northern edge of that garden
which we have just perambulated. It fronts the tower, the churchyard,
and looks on to an old sun-dial, once a _cross_. The _cross_ was found
broken at its foot, probably by the country iconoclasts of the day. I
have brought the interesting fragment again into light, and placed it
conspicuously opposite to an old Scotch fir in the churchyard, which I
think it not unlikely was planted by Townson on his _restoration_. The
accumulation of the soil of centuries had covered an ascent of four
steps at the bottom of this record of silent hours. These steps have
been worn in places, from the act of frequent prostration or kneeling,
by the forefathers of the hamlet, perhaps before the church existed.
From a seat near this old yew tree, you see the churchyard, and
battlements of the church, on one side; and on the other you look over a
great extent of country. On a still summer's evening, the distant sound
of the hurrying coaches, on the great London road, are heard as they
pass to and from the metropolis. On this spot this last admonitory
inscription fronts you:--

"There lie the village dead, and there too I,
When yonder dial points the hour, shall lie.
Look round, the distant prospect is display'd,
Like life's fair landscape, mark'd with light and shade.
Stranger, in peace pursue thy onward road,
But ne'er forget thy lone and last abode!"

_History of Bremhill, by Mr. Bowles._

* * * * *

RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS.

PAPER MARKS.

[Illustration]

Paper, for the purpose of writing or printing, was first manufactured in
this country, according to Anderson, about the year 1598, in the reign
of Elizabeth. There is reason, however, to believe, that its manufacture
existed here previous to that time. John Tate is recorded to have had a
paper-mill at Hertford, in the reign of Henry VII. and the first book
printed on English paper, came out in 1495 or 6. It was entitled
"Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum," and was printed on paper made by
John Tate, jun.

The different paper marks are objects of some curiosity. Probably they
gave the names to the different sorts, many of which names are retained,
though the original marks of distinction have been relinquished. _Post_
paper originally bore the wire mark of a postman's horn, as appears on
specimens of paper