orously
modelled gilt weathercock in capital preservation.

[Illustration: At Sevington.]

On Sevington spire, near Ashford, is a daintily designed vane, dated
1866. Some storm has given it--as the sailors say--a list to port, but
that seems somehow not to take away from but to add to its charm. It is
interesting to note that not far from here is the house where once
resided Dr. Harvey, the famous discoverer of the circulation of the
blood.

[Illustration: At Orlestone]

[Illustration: At Sandgate]

[Illustration: At Maidstone]

A mile on brings us to Hinxhill--a dear, old-world place--its
picturesque little church, with ivy-covered walls, moss-grown roof,
quaint open-timbered chancel, and fine stained-glass, all go to make a
never-to-be-forgotten picture. On the little Early English spire is set
a vane simple and good in treatment, and thoroughly in accord with its
surroundings.

At Sandgate is a well designed "horse and jockey" vane on a flagstaff,
in a garden about fifty yards from where the ill-fated sailing ship, the
_Benvenue_, went ashore and sank, and which was blown up by order of the
Admiralty only last autumn.

Dover, too, has its share of interesting vanes; perhaps the one
belonging to St. Mary the Virgin is the best. It is attached to an old
lead-covered spire surmounting a decorated Norman tower with rich
exterior arcading, practically untouched by the unloving hand of the
so-called "restorer"; but there are several others in the older streets
of the town well worth noting.

The seeker for vanes, quaint and ancient, must on no account miss going
down the High Street of Tonbridge. There are three within a stone's
throw of each other which must be noted, specially the one locally known
as "The Sportsman"--he stands over a dormer window in the red-tiled roof
of an old house of the Sheraton period, immediately opposite the famous
"Chequers Inn." The house itself is very interesting; it has evidently
been, in its early days, of considerable pretension, but has been an
ironmonger's shop since 1804. On going within to make inquiries about
the vane, I gathered that it is at least 120 years old, probably much
more, the oldest part of the house being contemporary with the
"Chequers." The vane is cut out of thick sheet copper and strengthened
with stout wire in several places to keep it rigid, and the whole is
painted in colours (a very unusual feature), in imitation of the
costume of the period; and I w