176 SPRING-TIDE. 



as they are to blame. The actual crimi- 

 nals are more frequently a set of people 

 who assume and prostitute the honoured 

 name of Antiquary, but who in reality are 

 mere relic-mongers and relic-hoarders. 



J. Do you really believe that to be the 

 case in this instance, and that one of these 

 gentry has paid your Church a visit ? 



S. I have little doubt of it : if the brass 

 has not been removed by his hands, he has 

 perhaps bribed the sexton to do it, which 

 makes his crime the greater. 



J. I believe there are instances of the 

 wilful destruction and mutilation of monu- 

 ments, and parish registers, with a view to 

 remove evidence which might be produced 

 in our Law Courts. 



S. It is too true. I am acquainted with 

 a case in another county, which for auda- 

 cious wickedness is without parallel. But 

 let us turn from a theme so degrading to 

 human nature. How dulled is the pride 



