since 1837, and a history of the changes that have taken place;
though the writer is aware that there is no incident to tempt the
reader--no siege of the one castle, no battle more important than the
combat in the hayfield between Mr. Coram and the penurious steward,
and, till the last generation, no striking character. But the record
of a thousand peaceful years is truly a cause of thankfulness, shared
as it is by many thousand villages, and we believe that a little
investigation would bring to light, in countless other places, much
that is well worth remembrance.

For the benefit of those who take an interest in provincial dialect,
some specimens are appended, which come from personal knowledge.

The lists of birds and of flowers are both from the actual
observation of long residents who have known the country before, in
many instances, peculiarities have faded away before the march of
progress.

The writer returns many warm thanks to those who have given much
individual assistance in the undertaking, which could not have been
attempted without such aid.

C. M. YONGE.
ELDERFIELD, OTTERBOURNE,
18th June 1898.



CHAPTER I--MERDON AND OTTERBOURNE