tance, and a man and
a dog have been lost in following its windings, so the entrance
is now stopped up. About three years ago a long underground way
was discovered at Margate, reaching from the vicinity of Trinity
Church to the smugglers' caves in the cliffs; also at Port Leven,
near Helston, a long subterranean tunnel was discovered leading to
the coast, no doubt very useful in the good old smuggling days.
At Sunbury Park, Middlesex, was found a long vaulted passage some
five feet high and running a long way under the grounds. Numerous
other examples could be stated, among them at St. Radigund's
Abbey, near Dover; Liddington Manor House, Wilts; the Bury,
Rickmansworth; "Sir Harry Vane's House," Hampstead, etc., etc.

CHAPTER XIV

MINIATURE HIDING-HOLES FOR VALUABLES, ETC.

Small hidden recesses for the concealment of valuables or
compromising deeds, etc., behind the wainscoting of ancient houses,
frequently come to light. Many a curious relic has been discovered
from time to time, often telling a strange or pathetic story
of the past. A certain Lady Hoby, who lived at Bisham Abbey,
Berkshire, is said by tradition to have caused the death of her
little boy by too severe corporal punishment for his obstinacy
in learning to write, A grim sequel to the legend happened not
long since. Behind a window shutter in a small secret cavity
in the wall was found an ancient, tattered copy-book, which,
from the blots and its general slovenly appearance, was no doubt
the handiwork of the unfortunate little victim to Lady Hoby's
wrath.

When the old manor house of Wandsworth was pulled down recently,
upon removing some old panelling a little cupboard was discovered,
full of dusty phials and mouldy pill-boxes bearing the names of
poor Queen Anne's numerous progeny who died in infancy.

Richard Cromwell spent many of his later years at Hursley, near
Winchester, an old house now pulled down. In the progress of
demolition what appeared to be a piece of rusty metal was found
in a small cavity in one of the walls, which turned out to be
no less important a relic than the seal of the Commonwealth of
England.

Walford, in _Greater London_, mentions the discovery of
some articles of dress of Elizabeth's time behind the wainscot
of the old palace of Richmond, Surrey. Historical portraits have
frequently been found in this way. Behind the panelling in a
large room at the old manor house of Great Gaddesden, Herts,
were a number of