established papers; to the authorities of the
Cambridge University Library; to the Rev. J. G. Hale, rector of
Therfield, and the Rev. F. L. Fisher, vicar of Barkway, for access to
their interesting old parish papers; to Mr. H. J. Thurnall for access
to interesting MS. reminiscences by the late Mr. Henry Thurnall; to the
Rev. J. Harrison, vicar of Royston; to Mr. Thos. Shell and Mr. James
Smith, for access to Royston parish papers--to all of these and to
others my warmest thanks are due. All the many persons who have kindly
furnished me with personal recollections it would be impossible here to
name, but mention must be made of Mr. Henry Fordham, Mr. Hale Wortham,
Mr. Frederick N. Fordham, and especially of the late Mr. James
Richardson and Mr. James Jacklin, whose interesting chats over bygone
times are now very pleasant recollections.

A.K.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE

Introduction.--"The Good Old Times" . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

CHAPTER II.

Getting on Wheels.--Old Coaches, Roads and Highwaymen.--The
Romance of the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

CHAPTER III.

Social and Public Life.--Wrestling and Cock-Fighting.--An
Eighteenth Century Debating Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

CHAPTER IV.

The Parochial Parliament and the Old Poor-Law . . . . . . . 32

CHAPTER V.

Dogberry "On Duty" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

CHAPTER VI.

The Dark Night of the Eighteenth Century.--The Shadow of
Napoleon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

CHAPTER VII.

Domestic Life and the Tax-Gatherer.--The Doctor and the
Body-Snatcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

CHAPTER VIII.

Old Pains and Penalties.--From the Stocks to the Gallows . . 83

CHAPTER IX.

Old Manners and Customs.--Soldiers, Elections and
Voters.--"Statties," Magic and Spells . . . . . . . . . . . 92

CHAPTER X.

Trade, Agriculture and Market Ordinaries . . . . . . . . . . 103

CHAPTER XI.

Royston in 1800-25.--Its Surroundings, its Streets,
and its People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

CHAPTER XII.

Public Worship and Education.--Morals and Music . . . . . . 117

CHAPTER XIII.

Sports and Pastimes.--Cricket, Hunting, Racing, and
Prize-Fighting.--The Butcher and the Baronet, and other
Champions .