THE MANOR HOUSE, SULGRAVE

Granted by Henry VIII to Laurence Washington

date A. D. 1540, ornaments a square block of stone. Time and the elements have played havoc with this relic; but the accompanying reproduction of an early plaster cast of the arms shows plainly enough that the stars and stripes of the American flag may have had their origin in the armorial bearings of the English Washington family.

It will be noted that the adopted motto of the family, embracing the appropriate sentence from the poet Ovid, Exitus acta probat-"actions are tested by their results"-does not accompany this particular shield; but it is to be seen in numerous miniature carvings of the arms which adorn the massive masonry of the south wing. In close proximity to the shield, and a little to the right, is the old sundial, while higher up, in the centre of the gable, the quaint arms of the historic priory are still to be seen.

With successive restorations and repairs, much of the ancient grandeur of the interior of the building has disappeared; but the old oaken staircase and the grand old diningroom, with its huge fireplace framed in oak, vividly recall the splendor of its early history.

ST. JAMES'S CHURCH, SULGRAVE

And it requires but little stretch of the imagination to conjure up one of those merry scenes of bygone days when King Carnival held sway within its ancient walls. On either side of the old entrance-hall and just within the Norman doorway, the quaint carvings of the "bearers" of the old priory arms are still to be seen.

In 1584, the population of Sulgrave was close upon 600; but, strange to relate, the last census taken discloses the lowest figures recorded since that date-the aggregate population numbering but 395. This is a striking example of the baneful effects of the longexisting agricultural depression and the extent to which it has depopulated the rural districts of England.

St. James's Church, Sulgrave, wherein repose the remains of many of George Washington's

ancestors, is an ancient landmark worthy of passing reference. As it now exists, it is by no means so picturesque as the original structure, which dates back to about the middle of the fifteenth century. The outer scheme of recent restoration embraced the substitution of a modern roof for the ancient but more picturesque covering. The inner renovation, including the removal of the old galleries and worm-worn pews, has robbed it of much of its old-world atmosphere. This work of restoration was carried out about twenty years ago and necessitated the opening of the old Washington vault and the disclosure of numerous leaden coffins in a very fair state of preservation. Subsequent to this, six out of the nine splendid "brasses" which originally adorned the entrance to the Washington vault were stolen by some unknown thief whose act of vandalism

FAC-SIMILE OF INSCRIPTION ON THE TOMB OF LAURENCE WASHINGTON, IN ST. JAMES'S CHURCH

will, it is to be hoped, yet meet with just punishment.

Apart from the Washington relics, perhaps the most interesting object to be seen within the sacred bulding is an ancient iron-bound oaken treasure-chest, which is over 800 years old. This unique specimen of ancient carpentrydesigned to frustrate the efforts of an army of burglars-was, like many others of equally massive construction, reduced to its present battered condition by one of those hordes of savage soldiery whose delight it was, during the devastating civil wars, to pillage

and plunder. It still shows innumerable marks of the battle-axes used to demolish its six massive locks. Intended as a receptacle for valuable monastic plate and regalia, it orginally formed part of the furniture of the ancient priory, from whence it was removed by Laurence Washington and presented as an heirloom to the church. Adjoining St. James's are the interesting remains of the old military fort, or earthworks, upon which were mounted the ponderous cannon of the Royalist troops who, at this spot, gave battle to the Pilgrimage of Grace rioters, in 1536.

Some five years ago, a praise-worthy effort was made to popularize the English villages of Sulgrave and Great Brington-the two North

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There is, I understand, some little prospect of its revival by one of the most progressive English railroad companies. With judicious advertising and a popular tourists' programme, the railroad may yet succeed in raising the old Washington farm of Sulgrave from its present position of comparative obscurity to one worthy its historic past.

THE WASHINGTON SHIELD

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ETTER fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay," wrote the poet. But now, a decade of Africa is better than fifty years of Europe.

Progress in Central Africa after discovery has been at least ten times as rapid as in America. Compare the conditions on Victoria Nyanza now, and on Lake Superior at a corresponding period of American history. It was more than fifty years after the discovery of Lake Superior by the white man before any settlement was effected on its shores; but the locomotive's whistle was heard along the

African lake forty-seven years after Speke discovered it.

The early settlers around Lake Superior had to transport supplies from the coast by slow sail and by canoe up the St. Lawrence and the lake, or up the Mississippi and overland, a matter of several months. Victoria Nyanza gets the London Times from home in less than a month. The first steamer on Superior came after three hundred years of white occupation; the fleet on Nyanza in less than forty. Superior's whites lacked matches, cartridges, petroleum oil, the sewing-machine,