Chap. 7.] PARISH OF RIBCHESTER. 167 



"And tlie presenters [at the luquisition taken at Blackburn, 25 

 June, 1650] further say, 'that Steed is A Parishe wherein is one 

 Parishe Church called Steed Church, being a donative from the 

 Abbott of Cockersand, but now from Mr. Holt, of Grislehurst, Lord of 

 the Manor of Steed, worth in the whole six pounds thirteen shillings 

 and foure pence per ann. paid hitherto to the jMinister att Eibchester, 

 Beinge Accompted Parson at Steed, there being onely Seavonteene 

 Families within this Parish, the same beinge Three quarters of A Myle 

 distant from the Parish Church of Eibchester."' 



The rarity of the sight must be my excuse for giving an account of 

 an outdoor service held at Stydd Church about two years ago. The 

 account was written by a lady -relation of mine ; and being present on 

 the occasion, I can vouch for the accuracy of her eloquent description. 

 " Hearing that there was to be a service at the venerable Church of 

 Stydd on Sunday afternoon, we availed ourselves of the opportunity of 

 once more seeing the interesting old fabric. Ujion reaching 

 Eibchester we were just in time to see the scholars walking in 

 procession from the School with their newly-appointed Eector (Mr. 

 Dickson), at their head. Pretty indeed was the sight of the scholars, 

 clad in clean, light garments, and carrying vai'iously-coloured parasols, 

 walking along the old winding road and through the green fields 

 leading to the Church, which claims to be above 700^ years old, and in 

 which tradition affirms the Apostle Paul preached. The day was 

 lovely, and as a large congregation had assembled, which could not 

 without Jisconifort have been accommodated within the walls of the 

 ancient structure, the Eector wisely decided to hold service in the 

 Churchyard. It was a beautitul scene, not only striking by reason of 

 its novelty, but also touching in its simplicity. At the east end .stood 

 the white-robed clergyman, with the sun shining full upon his bare 

 head ; around him were benches quickly fiUed by the people, while 

 many sat down upon the grass, reminding one of the scene when 



'Lane. Church Surveys. wantons. How is it that trippers can- 



*No visitor to this interesting Church not visit any old place without leaving 



can view calmly the names of nobodies behind them their autographs either cut 



scribbled all over the sacred edifice. into the woodwork, or rudely ^v^itten on 



Not even the pulpit has escaped the the walls ? 



