farm amounted to near upon a thousand acres, and was scattered over
thirty miles of country. The ex-seaman of thirty-nine, on whose
wisdom and ubiquity the scheme depended, was to live in the
meanwhile without care or fear. He was to check himself in
nothing; his two extravagances, valuable horses and worthless
brothers, were to be indulged in comfort; and whether the year
quite paid itself or not, whether successive years left accumulated
savings or only a growing deficit, the fortune of the golden aunt
should in the end repair all.

On this understanding Charles Jenkin transported his family to
Church House, Northiam: Charles the second, then a child of three,
among the number. Through the eyes of the boy we have glimpses of
the life that followed: of Admiral and Mrs. Buckner driving up
from Windsor in a coach and six, two post-horses and their own
four; of the house full of visitors, the great roasts at the fire,
the tables in the servants' hall laid for thirty or forty for a
month together; of the daily press of neighbours, many of whom,
Frewens, Lords, Bishops, Batchellors, and Dynes, were also
kinsfolk; and the parties 'under the great spreading chestnuts of
the old fore court,' where the young people danced and made merry
to the music of the village band. Or perhaps, in the depth of
winter, the father would bid young Charles saddle his pony; they
would ride the thirty miles from Northiam to Stowting, with the
snow to the pony's saddle girths, and be received by the tenants
like princes.

This life of delights, with the continual visible comings and
goings of the golden aunt, was well qualified to relax the fibre of
the lads. John, the heir, a yeoman and a fox-hunter, 'loud and