78 THE DOVER ROAD 



may be considered to lend a charm ot it. Just beyond 

 these houses comes Milton : a school, a church, 

 and a public-house standing next one another. The 

 church belongs to the Decorated period, and has a 

 tower built of flints, stone, and chalk. During the last 

 century the churchwardens had the repairing of the 

 nave roof under consideration, and, in order to save 

 twenty pounds on an estimate, they decided to remove 

 the battlements, and to have a slated roof, spanning 

 nave and aisles, and ending in eaves. The thing was 

 done, against the wish of the Vicar and with the 

 approval of the then Bishop of Rochester, and all who 

 pass this way can see how barbarous was the deed. 

 It had not even the merit of economy, for, by the time 

 the work was completed, it had cost the churchwardens 

 several hundreds of pounds more than had been 

 anticipated. 



" Trifle not, your time's but short," says a very 

 elaborate and complicated sundial over the south 

 porch, looking down upon the road ; and, taking the 

 hint, we will proceed at once from Milton Church to 

 the public-house next door. But not for carnal joys ; 

 oh no ! Only in the interests of this book will we 

 make such a sudden diversion ; for, at the rear of the 

 house, on the old bowling-green, is an interesting 

 memorial of one of the jolly fellows Avho once upon 

 a time gathered here on summer evenings and played a 

 game of bowls when business in the neighbouring town 

 of Gravesend was done for the day. 



to the memory 



Of Mr. Alderman Nynn, 



An lioneft Man, and an Excellent Bowler. 



Ciiique est sua Fama. 



Full forty long Years was the Alderman feen, 

 The delight of each Bowler, and King of this Greene. 

 As long he remember'd his Art and his Name, 

 Whofe hand was unerring, unrival'd whofe Fame. 

 His Bias was good, and he always was found 

 To go the right way and to take enough ground. 

 The Jack to the uttermoft verge he would fend 

 For the Alderman lov'd a full length at each End. 



