AUGUST 



323 



cut upon it, in antique figures, the date 1393. This brick, which 

 is of our modern shape, weighs five pounds eleven ounces, or 

 originally nearly six pounds, for some portions of it are broken 

 away ; and I suppose, from their shape and character, that 

 before the clay was set into the kiln to bake the figures were cut, 

 in 1393, and not at any subsequent date. But the reader may 

 judge for himself, for below is printed a reproduction of them. 



It would seem, therefore, that so long as five hundred and five 

 years ago housen stood at this spot, where meet four cross-roads 

 and a path that is now a lane. Doubtless, however, these dwell- 



ings have been several times rebuilt during that long period of 

 time, although the mason tells me that, so far as he can judge, 

 this particular brick seems never to have been disturbed since it 

 was first set in place. Here is an example of the great antiquity 

 of our country life in England. Doubtless, five centuries ago, as 

 to-day, men lived in cottages at this very spot. Doubtless, as 

 they do now, the four roads met there and the lane ran down to 

 the marshes ; and the seed was sown and the crops were gathered 

 on the field above as I gather them this very harvest-tide. 



Oh ! if only the place could tell all its story, with the detail 

 which would be necessary to make us understand it, what a 



