The importance of attending to sermons and of taking down notes of the preacher's words was more thought of in the days of old than at present. In the rules of many an old grammar-school this duty and practice are strictly enjoined both on schoolmasters and scholars.
"15.—I posted a note for Verral, to desire him to send me to-morrow, Bishop Beveridge's Great Necessity and Advantage of Publique Prayers and Frequent Communion, and Burket's Poor Man's Help, which books are for Mr. Newington's son Zebulon, at Withernden.
"Wednesday, 6th.—Mr. Hassell the conjuror came to school, and brought with him a map which he had made of a farm belonging to Colonel Fuller. We went together at noon to Elliott's, where he treated me with a quartern of gin, and I gave him a dinner at Coggin's Mill. Having dined the conjuror, we returned to Elliot's, where he treated me as before. I wrote the title of his map, and at four o'clock we went to Beale's to the clubb; at six I went to the school and finished his map, and he, as a satisfaction, promised me a half-a-crown. At nine he returned to Heathfield, carrying with him my Little's Introduction to Astrology. He gave me directions to write to Mr. White of Rotherfield, to demand Raleigh's History of the World, which he had in his hands."
The profession of a conjuror a hundred years ago was by no means uncommon, nor does it seem to have been thought a discreditable one. A person of the same name was in full practice as a cunning man in the neighbourhood of Tunbridge Wells very recently. One of the best known of his craft was a man of the name of Saunders, of Heathfield, who died about fifty years ago. he was a respectable man, and at one time in easy circumstances; but he neglected all earthly concerns for astrological pursuits, and, it is said, died in a workhouse.
"11th.—Master Eastwood came to the school: he invited me to the Oak, and treated me with a mugg of fivepenny.
"14th.—I found the greatest part of the school in a flow, by reason of the snow and rain coming through the leads. The following extempore verse I set for a copy:—
'Abandon every evil thought,
For they to judgement will be brought.'
In passing, the Star I met with Mr. Eastwood; we went in
