36 
NATURE NOTES 
in Rogation days had been maintained by the family from time immemorial. 
Mrs. Pitt Byrne was fortunate enough to be there on the occasion. 
“The priest, preceded by the processional cross-bearer, and attended by two 
acolytes in scarlet cassocks and short white cottas, walked first, aspersing the 
soil and chanting the Rogation litanies, the responses being taken up by those 
THE “JOHN BULL” TREE. 
who followed. The little procession took its winding way round the farm lands, 
passing through here and there a copse or a clump of trees, from behind which 
it might be seen now and again emerging, or crossing a bridge, or gently sweeping 
round some farm building ; the voices, as they chanted, floating on the air with 
a unison which told of the earnestness and sympathy of all. 
“ Immediately behind the priest walked the Squire bareheaded, and wearing his 
goodly eighteenth century costume, and heading his family and household, these 
being followed by the 
farm labourers and the 
Catholic villagers, de- 
lighted with the privilege 
of being associated in the 
pious rite.” 
We are told that 
“ Among his peculiari- 
ties was a strong objection 
to having his portrait taken 
in any shape or way, and 
it was a constant grief to 
his son and sisters-in-law 
that there would, at his 
death, be no memorial of 
sort of et tu Brute expression 
his personality. One day 
] they suggested to me to 
sketch him, if ever so 
slightly, as he dropped 
asleep in his chair after 
dinner, and it was only at 
their earnest request I 
complied. However, I 
greatly regretted this con- 
sent, as before I had 
marked down a dozen 
lines the good old man 
i woke suddenly, and caught 
me so employed, casting 
on me, as I thought, a 
though he indulgently forebore to speak his 
V 4 
SQUIRE WATEKTON. 
complaint. I felt as if I had committed an unpardonable breach of the laws of 
hospitality.” 
The portrait given here is from a bust for which the material was a mask 
taken after death, and Mrs. Pitt Byrne’s sketch. 
J. L. O. 
