THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 113 



being the rector, he accepted the curacy of that 

 parish under him. 



There is a story current, however, that 

 before he finally quitted South Molton, he and 

 Mrs. Russell attended divine service at that 

 church, and occupied, of course, a pew together. 

 Now at that time there lived at Whitechapel 

 Farm, near South Molton, a celebrated character 

 called John Sanger, an eccentric, hard-riding 

 yeoman, who, although weighing eighteen stone 

 and mounted on a thirteen-hand Exmoor pony, 

 had more than once beaten over the moor Mr. 

 Newton Fellowes, the great Squire of Eggesford, 

 whose hunters were notably well bred and the 

 talk of all the country. Sanger belonged to 

 Bishop's Nympton parish ; but, on that Sunday, 

 when Russell and his bride made their appear- 

 ance at South Molton Church, he occupied a 

 seat at a little distance off, but exactly fronting 

 their pew. 



Immediately on coming out of church he 

 marched up to Mrs. Russell, and with hat in 

 hand, and a profound bow, he said : 



" Good morning to you, ma'am ; I have never 

 seen in all my life such a fine woman as you 

 are. But you have spoiled my devotions ; for I 

 couldn't take my eyes off you all church time." 



This, beyond all doubt, was no mere com- 

 pliment ; but the honest expression of a plain, 

 out-spoken man. 



