io8 A KENTISH PARISH 



either pulled down the latter or transmogrified them out 

 of knowledge, and very naturally. But the Squire 

 cannot away with these brand-new turrets and battle- 

 ments, so conspicuous in their ostentatious splendour 

 from the familiar points in the landscape. Respectful 

 admirer as he is of the fair sex, and the more so, 

 perhaps, that he has never mated with any individual, 

 he shrinks from the showy toilets which confront him 

 in his family pew. Though he has no special pride 

 in the produce of his garden, he dislikes seeing his 

 gardener run hard by rare varieties of tropical plants at 

 the Oakenhurst flower-show ; and he takes the appear- 

 ance of some pair of handsome carriage-horses, set off 

 by unknown crests on the harness, as a personal insult 

 to his stables. By nature he is really most kindly and 

 good-humoured, and it is not in him to do an unkindly 

 thing, unless under strong momentary provocation. So 

 it is a sight for the student of humanity to see him 

 when he is brought into involuntary contact with Mr. 

 Veneer, the great furniture dealer from Bloomsbury, or 

 with the respectable Mr. Solomons who is so thoroughly 

 satisfied with himself, and who conducts pawnbroking 

 operations on a stupendous scale. Both Veneer and 

 Solomons are excellent people, and in a lifetime of 

 close application to business have well earned an 

 honourable retirement. But it may be a question 

 whether they have not made a mistake in anticipating 

 the railways, and coming so far afield. Purse-pride is 

 their weakness, and certainly they get through a great 

 deal of money. Their grounds are kept like villa 



