OLD COUNTRY FOLK 



245 



in the parish of Ewhurst, and the Diamond-topped Round- 

 heads of Rudgwick, a village just over the Sussex border. 

 It always took place at the ' Donkey ' inn at Cranleigh. 



In former times there were, no doubt, many such fights 

 in different parishes ; they served to let off the superfluous 

 youthful steam, that now finds an outlet in cricket and 

 football ; but this particular fight between the local Cavaliers 

 and Roundheads was fought on Whit-Monday only. 



In the same place there is a saying : ' On Heft'el fair- 

 day the old woman lets the cuckoo out.' ' Heft'el ' is 

 Heathfield, showing that the saying had travelled all the 

 length of Sussex to these forest uplands. 



The village inn or ale-house was naturally the centre of 

 gossip and general entertainment. When news travelled 

 slowly and there were no cheap newspapers, and but few 

 of the people could read or write, it was the only warm, 

 cheerful place where men could meet and hear or ex- 

 change news. Heavy settles stood partly facing the fire, on 

 each side of the wide ' down ' hearth, with its fire of logs. 



The leaden tobacco-box was on the narrow chimney- 

 shelf. It was variously ornamented, but one I have has 

 bosses of lions' heads at the ends, and 

 a portrait in relief of the Duke of 

 Wellington in his plumed cocked hat 

 on the front ; inside, there is a flat 

 piece of sheet-lead with a knob to keep 

 the tobacco pressed close, so as not to 

 dry up. 



Red moreen curtains were drawn 

 over the windows. The firelight played 



pleasantly upon them inside and made them show a cheerful, 

 welcoming glow to those who passed along the village street. 



Leadex Tobacco-Box 



