The Rev. George Hustler, M.F.H. 15 



In his church at Stillingfleet the Prestons of Moreby Hall 

 owned one of the old horse-box pews, large and square, con- 

 taining a fireplace. In old Mr. Tom Preston's time (grandfather 

 of the present owner), if he found the sermon longer i-han he 

 liked, or the subject was not approved, he poked the fire dili- 

 gently. Around the pew ran a sort of wooden framework with 

 narrow panels and bars. Through these he used to poke his 

 head when he wished to see if his workmen and tenants were in 

 church. One Sunday he thrust his head too far through and 

 could not withdraw it, being obliged to remain in that em- 

 barrassing position until someone fetched a saw and cut the 

 woodwork away ! 



It is curious what an affection parishioners have for these 

 squirearchal pews. At one time we wished to do away with 

 ours, but we were begged to do nothing of the kind. Some of 

 the old people became quite tearful, and so it remains, fireplace, 

 chairs and all, as it has stood for many years. 



I was in this horse-box one day when, after our Vicar had 

 preached an eloquent sermon that had left us all subdued, he 

 turned to leave the pulpit, but found he could not open the door 

 to descend the steps ; the weather being damp, the woodwork 

 had presumably swollen. He pushed with one hand, he pushed 

 with two ; it was no use. He then kicked it. Still no satis- 

 factory result ; so he hurled his body against the door. This 

 did the trick, and he flew like an avalanche head first down the 

 steps ! This was disconcerting, but he picked himself up 

 before anybody had time to render assistance, and marched, 

 red in the face but with dignity, to his place in the chancel. 



This scene made the old grey-headed sexton so nervous that 

 when he was carrying up the offertory plate he and his hob- 

 nailed boots had a sideslip on the well-polished and tiled floor. 

 In his endeavour to save himself he shot the contents of the 

 plate in every direction ; pennies and halfpennies were rolling 

 with frightful clatter here, there, and everywhere. Several 

 people dashed to the rescue. I emerged from my retreat to 

 help, as it happened by my front door, so to speak. The sexton 

 crawled about on all-fours. The moment was tense ! At last, 

 when the sexton informed us all was re-collected with the 

 exception of one halfpenny, we returned to our respective places 

 to continue our devotions, but nothing would persuade the old 



