have an
"extra pair of ribs."

The beautiful district between here and Tunbridge Wells deserves
a chapter to itself. Frant Wadhurst and Ticehurst belong more
naturally to West Kent than East Sussex. These three beautiful
villages and the glorious Eridge Park could be combined in this
excursion by the traveller who has unlimited time.

We may now follow the valley of the Rother through scenery of
much quiet beauty to Burwash, 6-1/2 miles from Mayfield. Here is
an old church with a (possibly) Saxon tower and an interesting
iron slab inscribed "Orate p Annima Johne Colins," probably the
oldest piece of local ironwork in existence. The outline of the
village is eminently satisfying to the artist, especially the
house called "Rampyndens." Burwash is connected with the Rev. J.
Cocker Egerton, to whom reference has already been made. From the
natives of this particular district was gleaned that record of
rustic humour which makes the Sussex peasant depicted in his
writings so real to those who know him. The village has lately
become the home of Rudyard Kipling, who lives at "Batemans," a
beautiful old house in an adjacent valley surrounded by wooded
hills. "Puck of Pooks Hill" is said to have been inspired by the
locality. Brightling Beacon, three miles farther, commands the
finest prospect of the western Weald, the immediate foreground
being of great beauty. Brightling church should also be seen.

A return could now be made by way of Heathfield, from Brightling,
passing Cade Street. Here a monument commemorates the death of
Jack Cade, who was shot by an arrow discharged by Alexander Iden,
Sheriff of Kent, in 1450. Cade had been hiding at Newick Farm;
gaining confidence he came out for a game of bowls and met his
end while playing. Heathfield _old_ village and church are off
the main road to the left; our route passes the railway station
and runs westwards to Cross-in-Hand and Blackboys; this road is a
succession of lovely views throughout the seven miles to Framfield,
where there is a Tudor church. A short two miles more brings us to
our main route at Uckfield.]

[Illustration: MIDDLE HOUSE, MAYFIELD.]

Uckfield (43-1/2 m.) old church was pulled down in the early nineteenth
century, and its successor is of no interest. An old stone house in
front of the "King's Head" was once the villa