JET. 65.] THE BARONETCY. 273 



inous notes of pits and Drift and boulders. The great 

 granite quarries of Mount Sorrel alone were more than 

 enough to repay a journey to the north. 



Folkestone, which was familiar ground, was a resort 

 in the autumn one excursion being made to Dover 

 and Walmer, where, it can be affirmed, he knew every 

 bend and cliff of that coast. The same may be said 

 of Margate and Ramsgate, where a day was spent, 

 and where another careful survey was made. 



Early in October he was accompanied to Maidstone 

 by the Rev. Osmond Fisher, whence they made an 

 inspection of the pits and brickfield near Aylesford. 

 Prestwich next paid a flying visit to Hitchin, in order 

 to examine a certain clay - pit on Messrs Hansome's 

 ground, and of which he as usual sketched a section. 



He had been repeatedly urged by an aged relative 

 a cousin of his family to take up the baronetcy, and 

 it was at this time he again decided to have his claim 

 to it sifted. The following letter was addressed to a 

 young barrister, his nephew by marriage : 



J. Prestwich to H. B. Tomkins. 



SHOREHAM, near SEVENOAKS, 8th October 1877. 



MY DEAR HENRY, I hear you have been devoting much time 

 and attention to the family genealogies. My own, as you are 

 probably aware, is somewhat intricate, and involves the holding 

 of a baronetcy. This I have never thought fit to take up, from 

 considerations of position, incompleteness of evidence, and ex- 

 pense. I should now feel disposed to take it up if the evidence 

 could be complete without too much expense. My old friend Mr 

 Flower the solicitor had the papers in his hands for some time, 

 but his death interrupted his friendly investigation. 



What I should like now to do would be, if you have the leisure 

 and inclination to undertake such a work, to place it in your 

 hands as a professional matter. It may give you a little occu- 



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