the Abbot of Battle, in the reign of Edward III. and is a very creditable specimen of the improved style of architecture in that reign. In the time of Edward II. a manifest change had taken place, in the decorative parts of our religious edifices, and these innovations were further extended and confirmed in the reign of his successer, and with regard to the principal parts and members continued in use, until the general suppression of monasteries, by Henry VIII. from which time, this style of architecture, for want of encouragement, rapidly declined, and was finally supplanted, by that barbarous and incongruous fashion which characterizes the buildings of the days of Elizabeth, and of her immediate successor.

The east front of Hawkhurst church, is unquestionably the finest piece of architecture within the Weald, and well worthy the attention of the admirers of this style of building; the windows in the north aisle, and another immediately beyond, ́on the same side, are also deserving of notice. The small building at the east end, which has given rise to a variety of conjecture and very erroneous conclusions, was most probably a confessional; but this, the author of "a sketch of the history of Hawkhurst," (published in continuation of the Bibliothe. ca Topographica Britannica) might not be disposed to admit; he says, page 7. "The building at the east end, cannot ever have been a CHAPEL, as its dimensions are too small, its situ ation precisely against the altar, and no appearance of any roof; it has most probably been a burial place at the time of the foundation of the church, with which it appears coeval, for some great family of the place."

One of the reasons, assigned for its not having been a CHAPEL, is evidently erroneous, as any person at all acquainted with the architecture of those times, or indeed with the most common principles of building, may easily satisfy themselves; for what purpose, but that of supporting the roof, was a set off, left on a level with the embrasures of the parapet, or of

what use would have been glass in the openings on the sides, if the top was left uncovered. And again, it is concluded that because it was precisely against the altar, that therefore it could not possibly, have had any direct communication with the church. This observation and the conclusion which is supposed to be grounded on it, are equally objectionable. In the times of general ignorance and priestly imposture, it was not unusual to leave an interval between the altar and the extremity of the east end either as a confessional or for some other purpose best known to the priesthood;* such might have been the case in the instance before us, and then, a direct communication with the church might have been admitted, as probable at least ; but there is no necessity of seeking so far to prove the fact, the former entrance from the main building, being still to be traced, though concealed on the inner side by the modern erections about the altar. The entrance in question was on the right of the present communion table, and close on the left of the external entrance to this small building, for notwithstanding it is neatly closed with the same materials of which the building is composed, yet the arch stones are still remaining in the wall. The supposition that it has been the burial place of some person or family of note, is too conjectural to be admitted, in the absence of every thing like a proof, and though the fact were established beyond a doubt, it does not in any measure militate against the notion of its having been a confes sional; this indeed appears the only reasonable conclusion, and the external entrance to it, rather serves to corroborate the supposition.

The windows of this church were formerly filled with much eurious painted glass, which was almost wholly demolished,

* An instance of this kind may be seen in the remains of Bayham Abbey,

...

+ Though the use of stained glass had been introduced in our churches nearly a century before, this fashion did not become prevalent until the reign of Edward III,

during the civil wars and popular commotions of the sixteenth century. Of the little that now remains, are the mutilated arms of Edward III. and his son, in the farthest window in the north chancel; and the arms of the abbey of Battle, of Etchingham and of Pashley in the first of the three north windows; the latter being still tolerably perfect. The font which appears coeval with the building, has been well preserved, and is a very neat piece of workmanship. "In the south chancel

of the church was anciently the image of the Virgin Mary and several tapers or lights were also in this church, called the Beam-light, the Pascal-light, Judas'-candles, St. James'light, and St. Lawrence's-light; and over the north porch of the church is a room, called the treasury;* wherein were de posited in a chest, several antient writings concerning the tenants of the twelve dens in and near this parish in Wye liberty, and concerning other lands and rights of the parishioners." + The principal memorials in the church are those to the memory of the Boys's; that to Richard Kilburne, the perambulator, in the north chancel, and the small elegant mural monument to the memory of Nathaniel Lardner, D. D. Beside these, in the middle aisle, is that to the memory of Sir Thomas Dunk, and the brasses for John Roberts, his wife and children, and to which formerly was an inscription in black letter. By the act of uniformity in 1662. Mr. Ephraim Bothel was ejected from this living and the incumbents of many benefices in this neighbourhood, were also silenced, as those of Cranbrook, Benenden, Biddenden, Goudhurst, Lamberhurst, Horsmonden, Rolvenden, Staplehurst and Tenterden.

Hawkhurst is now esteemed a perpetual curacy, and is in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Christ-church, Oxford.

HEADCORN. The situation of this parish is far from plea sant, it lies flat and low and the general aspect of it is cheer

* According to Kilburne.

+ These writings are still preserved.