GATTOX 141 



figure of John Elmebrygge is wanting, it having been 

 at some time torn from its matrix, but above his 

 figure'? indent remains a label inscribed Sancta 

 Trinitas, and from the mouths of the remaining figures 

 issue labels inscribed Unus Deus — Miserere nobis. 

 Beneath is a group of seven daughters ; the group of 

 four sons is long since lost. 



A transitional Norman font of grey Sussex marble 

 remains at the western end of the church, and on an 

 altar-tomb in the southern chapel are the poor remains 

 of an ancient stone figure of the fifteenth century, 

 presumably the effigy of a merchant civilian, as he is 

 represented wearing the gypdere. It is hacked out 

 of almost all significance at the hands of some 

 iconoclasts ; their chisel-marks are even now distinct 

 and bear witness against the Puritan rage that defaced 

 and buried it face downwards, the reverse side of the 

 stone forming part of the chapel pavement until 

 1861, when it was discovered during the restoration 

 of the church. 



Before that restoration this was an interior of 

 Georgian high pews. Among them the " squire's 

 parlour " was pre-eminent, with its fireplace, its well- 

 carpeted iloor. its chairs and tables ; a snuggery 

 wherein that good man snored unobserved, or partook 

 critically of his snuff during the parson's discreet 

 discourse. But now the parlour is gone, and the 

 squire must slumber, if he can, with the other sinners. 



In Merstham village, just beyond the ; Feathers ' 

 inn, stood Merstham toll-gate, followed by that of 

 Gatton. at Gatton Point, a mile distant, where the old 

 route through Reigate goes off to the right, and the 

 new — the seven miles between Gatton Point and Povey 

 Cross, through Redhill — continues, straight as an 

 arrow, ahead. The way is bordered on the right hand 

 by Gatton Park, a spot the country folk rightly 

 describe as an " old arnshunt place." The history of 

 Gatton, in truth, goes back to immemorial times, and 

 has no beginning : for where history thins out and 

 becomes a mere scatter of disjointed scraps purporting 



