HISTORY OF HARTING. 1/5 



ing up for the wedding ; furniture is ordered from 

 Hazard's in town, and from Chichester ; and the old- 

 fashioned arrangements of the grandfather are set 

 aside for a newer style. There is to be a cavalcade 

 to meet the bride and bridegroom from town "in great 

 forme"; and all the country expects to be invited. We 

 may quote Lady Mary's letters at this time somewhat 

 fully, as they have considerable local interest. 



She has no doubt consulted a fortune teller for the 

 following directions which she gives to her son about 

 his wedding ring : " I hope you won't forget a gold 

 ring, the measure is not to be broken, but you must 

 finde out the size by some straiigam ; there must be a 

 purse of gold and a little silver in it, I have a very 

 fine one for the purpose, if I cou'd tell how to convey 

 it. Major Battin (of East Marden) has got the fine 

 Cistern yesterday in Jernager's Lottery, two people 

 came down from London to acquaint him of it, and 

 the bells at Compton have rung all day on that 

 account. Your health and the young lady's is drunk 

 every day, and your sisters sing 'Roger come to Polly's 

 window.' " Meanwhile, 190 trees on the Lady Holt 

 property are marked in one day for their fall. 



Parson Newlin, forgetting old scores, is friends with 

 Lady Mary again, and writes his respectful con- 

 gratulations in a last letter within two years of his 

 death. 



"Jan. 16, 1737. Honoured Madam, I heartily wish 

 you joy, tho' I was not able to wait on you at Lady 

 Holt. I am sensibly affected with the pleasure it 

 must, of course, raise in your Ladyship's breast to 

 have so fine a gentleman for your son, and to see him 

 one-and-twenty. Long may he live to add new 

 honours to a brave ancient family, of which the ap- 

 proaching marriage gives the most promising hopes, 

 and opens a new scene of joy and pleasure to your 

 Ladyship. That it may long continue and encrease 



