LEONARD WHEATCROFT, OF ASHOVER. 33 



" I Titus Wheatcroft this Leonard's youngest son have been 

 Clark since he Dy'd in 1706, till this year 1752 ; being aged 74 ; 

 born in 1679 : being dark 46 years." 



Leonard became clerk in 1670, the year following the appoint- 

 ment of the Rev. Obadiah Bourne to the Rectory. 



Our worthy parish clerk was also the village tailor, and it is 

 probable that many of his rhymes were incubated during his 

 sedentary employment. He appears to have had apprentices, and 

 for their encouragement he wrote : — 



" A few verses for apprentices to set up lit tluir shape to move 

 their customers to hountiful/iess." 



" Sir, we desire to beg of you some treasure 



Or else some ale ; 'twill make your cloth hold tiicasuir. 

 And also make our master's sheares cut clearer : 

 And for your work you shall pay none the dearer. 

 One piece of silver, or one pot of ale 

 Would make your work done better than ' for sale. ' 

 Then shew your bounty to us who are here, 

 And then your clothing shall sit neate and cleare. 

 And on our credit it shall be well done. 

 As sure as ever mother had a son." 



In one of his poems, " shewing what great praise and renowne 

 belongs to the noble and amiable Company of Taylors in this 

 Kingdom of England since King Henry the Seaventh, but now 

 slighted and despised by many bumpkins of our times," he 

 writes : 



" If Kinges and Lordes and Earles have lost renown 

 No marvel Tailors Manhood should be trodden down." 



Of King Henry VH., he writes : — 



" Our charter is his princely gift, 

 Which is maintained to this day. 

 He added ' Merchaunt ' to the name 

 Of every Tayler as they say. 

 So ' Merchaunts ' is our name. 

 Then fie ! fie ! fie ! for shame. " 



