102 Coffin Plates recently discovered at East Coulston, Wilts. 
In the reign of James the First, and Charles the First, lived Sir 
John Gayer, a wealthy citizen and eminent merchant in the Ward 
of Aldgate, London. He was a liberal benefactor to the church 
and poor of St. Catharine Cree Parish, in which he resided. He 
owed his rank and opulence to his spirit of commercial adventure. 
It seems he had planned a mercantile speculation, the success of 
which depended upon his own personal superintendance. With 
this view he embarked on board a richly freighted vessel, and 
sailed for the coasts of Asia. His adventures by sea are unknown, 
but having occasion to cross the deserts of Arabia with a caravan 
of merchants, he was by some accident separated from his company, 
and night overtook him before he was sensible of his danger. No 
refuge was at hand, and he seemed destined to become the prey of 
savage beasts who were roaring at no great distance from him. 
In this awful situation neither his courage, presence of mind, nor 
trust in God forsook him. He knew that his own exertions were 
vain. Only One could help him, but He was mighty to save. He 
therefore fell upon his knees and prayed, devoutly promising that 
should it please God to rescue him from his present danger, the 
whole of the rich produce of the adventure he was engaged in, 
should be devoted to charitable purposes, when he returned to his 
own land. 
At this moment a lion of tremendous size approached him, and 
a horrible death seemed inevitable;. but the noble beast, after 
prowling round him for a time, and eyeing him fiercely, suddenly 
stopt short, turned from the kneeling knight, and walked quietly 
away. Sir John remained in prayer till the morning dawned, 
when he proceeded on his way, and happily overtook his friends, 
who had given him up for lost. The remainder of his journey was 
prosperous, and he returned to England with the rich profits of 
his adventurous undertaking. He did not on his return forget the 
vow he had made in the desert, but at once devoted to charitable 
purposes the wealth he had brought home. He was, as already 
stated, an especial benefactor to his own parish, and amongst other 
donations, left £200 to the church of St. Catharine Cree, to be laid 
out in land, the profits to be given to the poor, on condition that 
