266 BURNHAM BEECHES. 



widow survived for many long years to a very advanced 



a g e - 



There is a most interesting account given of the 



parish of East Burnham, in her collected papers, by 

 Mrs. Grote,* the widow of George Grote, the historian, 

 and herself a woman of powerful intellect and inde- 

 pendent judgment. The Grotes lived in the Manor 

 for twenty years. Mrs. Grote gives a most graphic 

 account of the neglected state of the parish, and of the 

 evils brought about by the concentration of property 

 in a single owner, when that owner is unwilling or 

 unable to perform any of the duties pertaining to such 

 a position. 



The cottages were neglected and allowed to fall 

 into dilapidation. Several of them were pulled down, to 

 such an extent that the accommodation was insufficient, 

 and great hardship was inflicted on some of the 

 labourers, employed in the parish, by their having to 

 walk long distances to their work. The highest rents 

 were screwed out of the cottagers, increased by the fact 

 that residents in the parish were entitled to the benefit of 

 certain charities. The two public-houses were leased to 

 brewers, who endeavoured to make up their high rents 

 by selling deleterious mixtures to their customers. 

 The Game Laws were enforced with the utmost 

 severity. The owner never came near the hamlet. 

 The agent lived in Cornwall and was seldom visible. 



"The current impression in the place/' says Mrs. Grote, 



* " Collected Papers of Mrs. Grote," John Murray, 1862. 



