burne in 1757; it superseded a very interesting black and white. building, not unlike some of those we see in Shropshire and Hereford-which we can hardly help regretting, as such a building in such a place would have been marvellously picturesque, and it would, with the least care, have been quite as substantial as the one that has been built in its place. Still, the new building is not

deficient in picturesqueness, and we might perhaps let the description of it which Langley gives in his History of Buckinghamshire pass without challenge; it is a pleasing brick building.' When the sketch was made for this series certain alterations were being carried on, and it was considered better to represent these than to show some finish that might not be accurate. The town gains

greatly by the river Wick, that runs through it and turns in its course many mills. Ruskin has often pointed out not only the superior thrift and economy of water mills, but also their greater beauty, and to this must be added the purer atmosphere that surrounds them, for if the same power that drives the mills on the Wick and its neighbour the Rye were obtained by means of steam, the leaves of many a tree and many a flower would be blighted. Wycombe does not seem to have had much political importance until the ill-starred reign of Charles, when it sided with the popular cause, and was besieged by Prince Rupert, and Scott, who was one of the judges to try Rupert's master, was among its defenders. There are some singular epitaphs in the chancel of the church: one to John Bigg is a tribute of his wife. Devoted by Anne Bigg to

the lasting memory of her dear husband John Bigg, doctor of physick. He was a constant and true member of the Church of England, a prudent and loyal subject, very temperate, perfectly chaste; a maker of peace both in his private capacity and in his public offices for the borough and county, of a charitable and even temper, never uttering a word like an oath or a curse, very ingenious, eminent and successful in his profession, a most affectionate husband, a tender father, whose example through all the stages of life is most worthy of imitation. He died 15th June 1701, aged 58 years, survived by one son and two daughters, Aune and Catherine.' On the north side of the chancel is a very large monument to the memory of Henry Petty, Earl of Sherborne, erected by his executors, and

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consisting of the following singular devices, which are duly recorded by the faithful chronicler Langley. A man lying on a cist of black marble, with Religion holding an open book before him. On the right hand are two female figures, Virtue and Learning, directing a child; on the left a Roman warrior and Charity. The canopy is supported by two large pillars of grey

marble; on the top is an urn, on either side Prudence and Justice.' Not a very hopeful design, certainly, for a monument, but very characteristic of the period when, as at Westminster, the figures of statesmen and divines and authors are executing a grim dance of death, assisted by heathen deities, though the tableau is not for a moment comparable with Holbein's Dance of

Death.' Rickman differs from Langley in the date he gives to the tower by seven years. He says the tower (date 1529), the piers and arches, the clerestory and timber roof are Perpendicular, the battlements and pinnacles of the tower are modern stucco-work erected by Lord Shelburne 1755. Most of the exterior walls, the south porch, and several windows are good Early Decorated. There are portions of the rood-loft, and some very good wood screen work, dated 1468, remaining. The arches to the transept are earlier than those of the nave, and the details of the earlier windows and doors are very good. Part of the walling is flint and chalk, in small squares, similar to the style we find in Norfolk and some parts of Kent. But before taking leave of this church we should notice another epitaph, which is very characteristic of the period when it was composed. It is to one Robert Kemp, and is on a brass plate in the chancel, date 1621:

Wife, children, wealth, this world and life forsaken,

In silent dust I sleep, when once awaken—

My Saviour's might a glorious change will give;
So losing all, I gain, and dying, live.

My fame I trust the world with, for 'tis true,
Posterity gives every man his due.

Wycombe formerly returned two members to Parliament, but now it only sends one, who is generally a connection of the owner of Wycombe Abbey. In the latter part of the seventeenth century John Archdale was returned as one of the members, but his election was set aside because he refused, being a Quaker, to take the necessary oaths. But a much more notable man was Waller, the poet, who represented Amersham at the age of seventeen, and who afterwards sat for High Wycombe. He was born in 1605, and died 1687. He received his education at Eton, and its natural successor in those days, King's College, Cambridge. Waller married a daughter of Edward Banks, Esq., a very opulent London citizen, and this he managed to do against great odds, for a rival was in the field before him, who was supported by Royal favour. He was an ardent Royalist, though he could change his opinions almost as gracefully as the Vicar of Bray-and quite as easily. But after Charles had surrendered, Waller attempted to enter into a conspiracy to place the Tower of London and part of the City at his disposal. Through the clemency of Cromwell, a clemency which he was always anxious to exercise when it could be done with due regard to public safety, he was only condemned in costs of 10,000l. to the State, and one year's imprisonment. After this he retired to France, and stayed for some time in Paris, but he obtained leave from Cromwell to revisit England, and in retirement wrote some charming odes; 'Go, lovely Rose,' is probably one of the best known

So insinuating was he, that he actually gained the friendship and favour of Cromwell after his return. He took up his abode at an old-fashioned seat at Beaconsfield, near Wycombe, and a monument is erected to him at Beaconsfield Church-where he was buried. Notwithstanding his beautiful poems, Clarendon rates him at a low ebb, even though he succeeded in gaining the favour of the Protector, and says that his principal forte was dexterous and servile flattery of the ruling powers.

Within an easy hour's walk from this old town, is situated West Wycombe. Everyone will remember West Wycombe, from its long caverns, which were excavated by Lord le Despenser-with some ulterior views, the country people imagine, but really to get out chalk. West Wycombe House is the seat of the Dashwood

family; Lord le Despenser was Francis Dashwood, who founded the club that was a disgrace to the last century. He was a man of notoriously bad life, and probably had acquired an undue influence over his younger fellows. This club seems to have been composed of young men of weak intellect, who habited themselves as Franciscan friars, and affected some mystery in their pursuits. Langley says some few years since the house was tenanted by a society of young men of wit and fashion, under the title of monks of St. Francis, whose habit they assumed. During the season of their conventual residence, they are supposed not to have adhered very rigidly to the rules of life that St. Francis enjoined. Some anecdotes related in a publication of that day are said to refer to this society; but from the little information I have collected,