By the Rev. Canon J. E. Jacfoon, F.S.A. 167 



sleeping in his father's house. As soon as he was able to crawl 

 about, he was taken to the sheep-fold, by the shepherd, every 

 morning, even in the depth of winter, by which, he says, " a foun- 

 dation was laid for that strength of constitution which has carried 

 me through eighty-five summers and winters without being in any 

 way greatly impaired." William went to school at six years old, 

 and remained there nine years. In his fifteenth year he was taken 

 away (I u?e his own description) " a poor raw ignorant youth, not 

 having acquired any classical knowledge at all," and was kept at 

 home a whole year, which was spent in following the sports of the 

 field, no school book being looked into the whole time. Thence to 

 Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he fell into very good hands 

 in the person of an excellent tutor, who took a great fancy to him, 

 and bestowed so much pains that he not only got his degree, but 

 was actually presented by the college with a piece of plate for 

 being their best man that year. That piece of plate, he says, 

 he looked upon as the most precious thing he had in the world. In 

 course of time he took holy orders, and (so things were done in 

 those days) was presented to two livings, one at Taunton, in 

 Somerset, the other at Lidlinch, about fourteen miles from Chettle. 

 At Lidlinch he was supposed to reside, but his father being old and 

 there being no other son available, he was compelled to live at 

 Chettle. He says, however, that, in spite of the distance, he never 

 once omitted during seven years to attend to his Sunday duties at 

 Lidlinch. His father died, and an elder brother dying soon after, 

 William Chafin, Clerk, became head of the family and master of 

 the place. This fixed him in the very middle of the Chase, and, 

 being passionately fond of sport of every kind, he became, nominally 

 a clerk, but really a squire. For seventy years he says he had 

 enjoyed whatever field-sports the Chase supplied, and he appears to 

 have been thoroughly acquainted with every variety of them. His 

 object in putting together his anecdotes was to support Lord Rivers's 

 claims, which he does most positively and enthusiastically. He 

 says that, according to his experience and observation, the owner of 

 ' the Chase had exclusive property, not only in the feed of the deer, 

 but in all under game of every kind. In his youth none of the 



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