LECTURES. 49 



petitioned against the further infliction and were relieved from the 

 trouble of electing members. In the Reform Act of 1842 Chelten- 

 ham, now a big place, was once more enfranchised, and the Liberals 

 of the town showed their gratitude to the reigning monarch (William 

 IV.) by erecting a statue to him in the Promenade. It is gratifying 

 to know that the statue in a burst of gratitude some years ago com- 

 plimented those who erected it by being tastily painted in yellow and 

 green (the Liberal colours) at an election. 



Another right was the erection of a pillory and gallows of their 

 own. The gallows was an oak tree which stood almost on the site 

 of Mr. Salter's house. 



A court of the manor (Court Leet) used to sit which discussed 

 all manner of subjects ; I quote one case out of many, as an amusing 

 forerunner of the action of the Health Committee during the present 

 year : — " Presentment, 5 April, 9, James I. That Dobbins sounded 

 his drum up and down the town of Cheltenham in the market, 

 accompanied by R. Clarke and divers other young fellows ; Clarke 

 following Dobbins with a truncheon hke a lieutenant or marshalman, 

 and proclaiming that whosoever would hear a play should come to 

 the sign of the Crown. This the bailiff of the Town unliking, the 

 rather for the neighbouring towns of Tredington and P^estbury .vere 

 infected by the plague, and the town itself much suspected, and 

 greatly doubted that the infection was there also, sent them to 

 forbear ; they reviled his messenger, and he had to go himself and 

 suppress them, but they departed.'' 



Since the reign of Charles I. the Dutton family were Lords of the 

 Manor till this reign ; the present Lord of the Manor is a member of 

 the College Council, Mr. Agg-Gardner. 



It was early in the Norman period that S. Mary's Church was 

 built, and various parts dating from that period remain, though the 

 windows were added later. The Church and Churchyard are well 

 worth a visit. In the latter we notice the fine old Cross dating from 

 the reign of Edward I., and formerly bearing two sun dials. In the 

 churchyard are two quaint inscriptions, one of John Higgs, pig killer : 

 " Here lies John Higgs 



A famous man for killing pigs, 



For killing pigs was his delight 



Both morning, afternoon and night. 



Both heat and cold he did endure, 



Which no physician could ere cure. 



His knife is laid, his work is done 



I hope to heaven his soul is gone," 



