OfOXFO%T)^SHl\E. 
of the Lord, it was then their own, and v^ent in part at leafi: to 
the reparation of their Church ; and by this, as fome will have ic,^ 
they hold both iht'w Lammas and Michaelmas Common. But this 
Cuflom, now the Timber is almoft deflroyed thereabout, begins 
to be fo inconvenient, that if it be not feafonably laid afide, it 
will difcourage all people from planting it again, even about their 
very houfes - for to what purpofe ftould they do it, when it would 
ftill be in the power of a malicious Church-warden to give it a 
chop, and deftroy it when he pleafes. To prevent which great 
evil, I hear the chiefeft of the FarifilidiVt lately combined, where- 
in I think they have done well enough, provided always that the 
Rights of the Church (whatever they be) be fully compenfated 
fome other way. 
29. \n the Northern ^?L\:t Oxfotd-JIjire^ about Banbury and 
Bloxham^ it has always been the cu/Iom at fet times of year, for 
young people to meet to be hired as fervants ; which meeting, at 
Banbury they call the Mop ; at Bloxham the Statute^ where they 
all fort themfelves, and carry their according as they are 
<]ualified ; the Carters {landing in one place with their whips, and 
the Shefherds in another with their crooks ; but the maids^ as 
far as I could obferve, ftood promifcuoufly : which custom I had 
fcarce I think noted, but that it feems to be as old as our Saviour^ 
and to illuftrate his Parable in St. Matthews Goffel % where the 
laborers are faid to ftand in the mercat to be hired. 
30. And now I have run my felf into Divinity^ I cannot but 
note an odd cuftom at Stanlah^ where the Far/on in the Proceffion 
about holy Thurfday^ reads a Gofj^el at a Barrels head in the Cellar 
of the Chequer Inn^ where fome fay there was formerly a Hermi- 
tage ; others, that there was anciently a Crofs^ at which they read 
a Gofpel in former times, over which now the houfe^ and parti- 
cularly the cellar being built, they are forced to perform it in 
manner as above. 
3 1 . But in matters of Religion there is nothing fo worthy me- 
mory as the Chrifiian unanimity of the Paridi of Br ightwell, where, 
through the exemplary Piety, and prudent conduO: of that wor- 
thy Gentleman, the WorOiipful John Stone Efq; Lord of the 
Town, and the Reverend Mr. Fiddes^ Re^or of the place, and 
their Fredecefors, and the good difpofition of the people them- 
* Matth. 20. 1;. 3. 
C c 2 felves 
