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Here is a cutting from the newspapers : — "A certain village inn 

 had the honour of lodging an editor, to whom a separate bedroom 

 was assigned. One night he was absent, and the house being full, 

 the landlord or landlady put a stranger in his bed. The morning 

 found he had decamped, leaving the following lucubration in his 



room : — 



I slept in an editor's bed last night, 



And others may say what they please ; 

 I say there's one editor in the world 



That certainly takes his ease. 



When I thought of my humble cot away, 



I could not suppress a sigh ; 

 But thought as I rolled in the feathery nest, 



How easily editors lie. 



When the editor returned and perused the above, he smiled and 

 added : — 



The chap whose form has rested here, 



And left his copy behind, 

 For a bad impression should be locked up, 



For the cut is most unkind. 



Behold a proof of how he lies : 



In the morning he went away, 

 And like many that use an editor's sheet, 



He had forgotten his bill to pay. 



It has often been a subject of comment why the parish church 

 and the inn should in so many villages be in close proximity. One 

 reason given is that in former times, when places of worship were 

 not so numerous as at present, the parishioners living at the 

 extreme boundary of the parish, had in many cases several miles 

 to travel in order to attend church service. On such occasions as 

 christenings, weddings, or funerals, the village inn was a useful 

 place of accommodation for those who had far to travel, and 

 needed refreshment for themselves or horses, previous to their 

 return home. Defoe does not seem to have liked the arrangement, 

 judging from the following lines, of which he is the author : — 



God never builds a house of prayer, 

 But the devil erects his dwelling there ; 

 And 'twill be found on examination. 

 The latter holds the biggest congregation. 



[Note. — The Council are indebted to the Author for bearing the expense of 

 printing the foregoing part of his Paper. ] 



