OfOXFO%T>*SHI%E. z* 



of the Lord, it was then their own, and went in part at leaft to 

 the reparation of their Church ; and by this, as fome will have it, 

 they hold both their Lammas and Michaelmas Common. But this 

 Cuftom, now the Timber is almoft deftroyed thereabout, begins 

 to be fo inconvenient, that if it be not feafonably laid afide, it 

 will difcourage all people from planting it again, even about their 

 very houfes - for to what purpofe flbould they do it, when it would 

 frill be in the power of a malicious Church -war den to give it a 

 chop, and deftroy it when he pleafes. To prevent which great 

 evil, I hear the chiefeft of the Farifi have lately combined, where- 

 in I think they have done well enough, provided always that the 

 Rights of the Church, (whatever they be) be fully compenfated 

 fome other way. 



29. In the Northern part of Oxford- fine, about Banbury and 

 Bloxham, it has always been the cuflom at fet times of year, for 

 young people to meet to be hired as fervants ; which meeting, at 

 Banbury they call the Mop ; at Bloxham the Statute, where they 

 all fort themfelves, and carry their badges according as they are 

 qualified ; the Carters Handing in one place with their whips, and 

 the Shepherds in another with their crooks ; but the maids, as 

 far as I could obferve, flood promifcuoufly : which cuftom I had 

 fcarce I think noted, but that itfeems to be as oldzs our Saviour, 

 and to illuftrate his Parable in St. Matthews Go/pel % where the 

 laborers are faid to ftand in the mercat to be hired. 



30. And now I have run my felf into Divinity, I cannot but 

 note an odd cuftom at Stanlake, where the Par/on in the Procefhon 

 about holy Thurfday, reads a Go/pel at a Barrels head in the Cellar 

 of the Chequer Inn, where fome fay there was formerly a Hermi- 

 tage ; others, that there was anciently a Crofs, at which they read 

 a Gofpel in former times, over which now the houfe, and parti^ 

 cularly the cellar being built, they are forced to perform it in 

 manner as above. 



31. But in matters of Religion there is nothing fo worthy me- 

 mory as the Chriflian unanimity of the Parifh of Brightwel^where^ 

 through the exemplary Piety, and prudent condudt of that wor- 

 thy Gentleman, the Worfhipful John Stone Efq; Lord of the 

 Town, and the Reverend Mr. Piddis, Reclor of the place, and 

 their Predecefors, and the good difpofition of the people them- 



* Matth. 20. V. 3. 



C c 2 felves 



