Page:Sussex archaeological collections, volume 9.djvu/223

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WALTER GALE, SCHOOLMASTER AT MAYFIELD.
191

ferred. I met with Mr. Vine and Mr. Price, who treated me with a quartern of brandy and a mugg of ale.

"4th.—I past accounts with Widow Cane, £1. 13s. 0d.; Mr. Thatcher, £l. 10s. 0d.; and Mr. Markwick, £1. 17s. 6d.: this money was in full for their tombstones; and I desired the favour of Mr. Goldsmith to employ me in painting, the Commandments, a thing they intend to have done in their church.

"Sunday, 7th.—Gave my attendance at divine service. Two o'clock, I went to the Star, at Heathfield, where I found the conjuror, and spent 3½d. with him.

"8th.—Began my school at noon. I waited on Miss Anne Baker, of whom I received a neckerchief to draw.

"10th.—Came to the church, Mr. Newington's boy, at Withernden, who brought me the unhappy tidings that my sister was very ill, and that I was desired to go there that day. I dismissed the scholars, and went to Withernden.

"I found my sister extremely indisposed, and unlikely to live. I was informed by my sister Stone that she had miscarried the Sunday before, and had had a very ill time of it. Mr. Harvey, Chancellor Jordan's curate at Burwash, had been there the night before, and had administered the sacrament to her. I stayed there that night, and, my sister being somewhat better, she ordered me to tell my mother to come to her.

"11th.—My cousin, John Vine, came to me, and brought with him Camden's Britannia and a parcel of Ephemerises; he was so good as to stay with me; we went to Mr. Moon's, and supped there, and spent the evening in very agreeable chat.

"Sunday.—I set out for Withernden. My sister was still extremely ill. I told them in discourse that on Thursday last, the town clock was heard to strike 3 in the afternoon twice, once before the chimes went, and a 2d time pretty nearly a ¼ of an hour after. There were present at the time in the school, Mr. Sawyer, Mastr. Kent, Cousin Vine, and myself, who all observed it. The strikes at the 2d striking seemed to sound very dull and mournfully; this, together with the crickets coming to the house at Laughton just at our coming away, I look upon to be sure presages of my sister's death. At 4 p.m. I was called up by my mother, who said