n other
portions, he may fairly say, in the language of "the pious AEneas"
(slightly modified), "quorum pars (ipse) fui," (AEneid ii, 6); and in
these he has drawn not a few of the details from his own recollections.

In stringing these records together, of such varied character, and on
subjects so numerous, he cannot but be conscious that, in the endeavour
to give all possible information, and to omit nothing of real interest,
he may, on the other hand, have laid himself open to the charge of being
too diffuse, or even needlessly prolix. Others not sharing his own
interest in the subjects treated of, may think that he has occasionally
"ridden his hobby too hard." If this should be the judgment of any of
his readers, he would crave their indulgence out of consideration for the
motive.

These are the days of historic "Pageants," drawn from life, and with
living actors to illustrate them. We have also our "Gossoping Guides,"
to enable the tourist to realize more fully the meaning of the scenes
which he visits. From both of these the author "has taken his cue." He
had to cater for a variety of tastes; and while, for the general reader
he has cast his discriptions in a colloquial, or even at times in a
"gossoping," form, he believes that the old town, with its "Bull Ring,"
its "Maypole Hill," its "Fighting Cocks," its "Julian Bower," and other
old time memories, can still afford _pabulum_ for the more educated
student, or the special antiquary.

Like the composer of a Pageant play, his endeavour has been rather to
clothe the scenes, which he conjures up, with the flesh and blood of
quickened reality, than in the bare skin and bones of a dry-as-dust's
rigid skeleton. How far he has succeeded in this he leaves to others to
decide; for himself he can honestly say, that it has not been from lack
of care, enquiry, or labour, if he has fallen short of the ideal aimed
at.

[Picture: Signature of J. Conway Walter]

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE

PART I--PREHISTORIC. Horncastle--its infancy 1

PART II--THE DIMLY HISTORIC PERIOD 3

CHAPTER II.

RECORDS OF THE MANOR, &c., FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST 11

CHAPTER III.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH 33

CHAPTER IV.

THE CHURCH OF