ON SURREY HILLS. 



these stiles closed in were rather wild : more than 

 once we have been glad to get on the right side of 

 one. 



The country folks mark time and events by some 

 of these massive structures. You will often hear 

 them say, " I minds the time that 'ere stile was fust 

 fixed, I do. It be over an' above sixty years ; I be 

 now gettin' well on fur eighty, I be, an' 'twas my 

 fayther as put un up there. I was a young un then, 

 an' helped fayther. None on us bided in shool in 

 they times, looterin' about nigh on to men's time, 

 same as they do now. They had ter turn out an' do 

 summut o' some sort or other. 'Twud a bin uncom- 

 mon rough if they hadn't, I can tell 'ee. It's my 

 'pinion they larns 'em enough ter make 'em werry on- 

 satisfied, fur they wunt work farmin' no longer than 

 they're 'bliged to. 'Recktly they gits any size like, 

 off they goes ter better theirselves." 



The name " kissing stile " is bestowed on these 

 rustic structures. Willum, Garge, or Eddard, when 

 out " coortin'," claims a kiss from his lady-love as he 

 assists her, with rustic gallantry, to get over one of 

 these formidable barriers. There is apt to be a little 

 coquetting on the lady's part, or perhaps only a gentle 



