ghter of Mr. David Cussons, and leaving the town
about 1848, settled in Hull, where he established a large business as
paper manufacturer. He was elected Mayor of Hull; and died some years
ago, leaving a widow, who resides in a large mansion, which he built on
the outskirts of the town, Marlborough House, Anlaby Road. The business,
with several branches, is still carried on by members of his family.

JOHN BROWN.

John Brown, the "Poet Laureate" of Horncastle, has already been
mentioned; he is chiefly known by the volume _Literae Laureatoe_,
published in 1890, dedicated to Lord Tennyson, by permission, and
containing most of his poetical productions. These are remarkable for
his knowledge of Lincolnshire dialect and local folk-lore. The volume
was published, after his death, on behalf of his widow.

He was born in the first workhouse, adjoining St. Mary's churchyard, his
parents being in charge of that institution. Being first apprenticed to
a cabinet maker, Mr. J. Williams, when only just "in his teens," he ran
away to Hull, and took service on a vessel, the Margaret, bound for
Cronstadt. His first voyage, however, was sufficient to disgust him with
marine life. When about 15 he found employment with a theatrical scene
painter from London, who settled in Horncastle. 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. In 1872 his health failing, and his savings
having evaporated, he was granted a residence in the Whelpton Almshouses,
where he continued to employ his pen, in comfort, until his death in
1890. {159}

THOMAS BAKER.

The late Mr. Thomas Baker has already been referred to, but is worthy of
a fuller account. 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 fa