November 4, 1886 ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
403 
moned a meeting of ratepayers of the parish to consider the 
state of the church, and to propose a special rate for its repair. 
The parish of Braintree consisted almost entirely of silkweavers 
who had settled there years before. The majority of these were 
what he thought could be done when the case was so urgent. 
“ What shall you do ? ” said Mr. Johnson, “ why, sir, if the case 
is as urgent as you say it is you ought first to consult an architect, 
obtain his opinion as to the state of the church, then call a 
Fig. 58 .—The Late Mu. George William Johnson. 
dissenters, consequently much averse to helping in anything to 
do with the church; the question, therefore, when put at the 
meeting was only agreed to by a very sin ill minority of the 
ratepayers, the majority refusing to pay a farthing in such a 
cause. Mr. Yelly in despair went to Mr. Johnson to ask him 
meeting of ratepayers and inform them of his opinion. If the 
dissenting majority still hold out request the signatures of the 
church minority consenting to a rate for repairs, and on that 
minority proceed accordingly." 
Mr. Yelly a' ted on Mr. Johnson’s advice. He consulted two 
