our cardinal points of the compass, is excellent in
design.

[Illustration: On Winchelsea Chvrch.

W. Hogg. 1892]

[Illustration: S. Eanswythe's Folkestone

W. Hogg 1892]

Two miles further west we come to dear old Winchelsea. The church (built
between 1288-1292), of which only the choir and chancel, with some
portions of the transepts, now remain, was originally dedicated to St.
Thomas a Becket, but in the present day is called after St. Thomas the
Apostle. It possesses an exceptionally fine vane, perched on a curiously
squat, barn-like structure, which does duty for a tower. With its
creeper-covered dormer windows and a somewhat convivial-looking
chimney-pot sticking up out of one of them on the south side, it looks
more picturesque than ecclesiastical; but the beauty of the vane itself
at once arrests attention. I think it is one of the most elaborate
specimens of wrought ironwork, applied to such a purpose, that I have
met with; against a sunny sky it is like so much beautiful filigree--the
metal wind-plate is apparently a much later restoration, and is
perforated with the letters "W. M." and the date 1868. From the vane you
could almost jump into the old tree beneath which John Wesley preached
his last sermon. Eastward, but very little beyond the shadow of the
vane, is Tower Cottage, Miss Ellen Terry's country retreat. Mr. Harry
How, in a recent number of THE STRAND MAGAZINE, has told us in
one of his interesting "Interviews" of the quiet home life of the great
actress when staying here. What a glorious outlook the old vane has--on
the one hand quaint, sleepy Rye and the flat stretches of Romney Marsh;
to the north the great Weald of Kent; to the westward beautiful Sussex,
and straight in front the open sea of the English Channel.

[Illustration]

Folkestone makes a capital centre from which to go a-hunting vanes, but
before we start it is well worth while to glance for a few moments at
the modern one on the Parish Church of St. Eanswythe. It was designed,
about fifteen years ago, by Mr. S. S. Stallwood, the architect, of
Reading, who, by-the-bye, is, too, responsible for the fine west window.
The vane is of dark metal throughout, save for the gilt arrow, and
stands on a turret to the south-west of the Perpendicular embattled
tower. It is in excellent condition, notwithstanding its very exposed
position to the Channel storms. Down on the harbour jetty, surmounting
the lighthouse and hard by where the Boulo