clection was decided "by a majority, or the greatest part and chiefest of the inhabitants." The "wages of the minister came from contribution, free subscription, or rate upon the parishioners, "and not one penny arose from tithe, or any other rectorial or vicarial demand." This exemplification of the custom of election was decided as the true proceeding upon the election of Mr. Bishop, upon whose appointment it being contended the patronage was with the crown, the parish books, accounts, and other documents were examined, and proved both the form and the power of election were with the parishioners.

A few memoranda will complete our memorials of this church.

It has been mentioned that the spire was blown down by a storm which happened on the 18th of February, 1661. In its fall, it took the direction of the south side, and struck the porch, the roof of which was broken through. Several of the grave stones in the churchyard were also broken by the fall of the spire, and the iron-work, or vane, penetrated deeply into the ground. This event appears to have given the parishioners considerable uneasiness, for not only was the fabric much injured, but the expense entailed on the parish was likely to reach a considerable amount. Three days after the fall of the spire, February 21, 1661, the inhabitants of the parish were summoned together, when it was agreed "that the church now decayed should be forthwith repaired by the Churchwardens, and the charge borne by the parish. And also, every thing requisite for the reparation and preservation of the portion of the spire still standing, should be done." For these purposes a rate of two shillings and sixpence was ordered to be collected, but little or nothing appears to have been

effected, either towards repairing the building or reerecting the fallen spire. To complete the latter work, the greatest anxiety was felt, but though many attempts were made, and even a small estate at Bentley left by Mr. W. Edgar in 1716, towards this object, or for the erection of a new spire, the work was never accomplished, and the church is still without one.

St. Mary Tower no doubt contained many more monumental brasses than at present, and the Churchwardens' books under the date 1686, prove this fact. In that year, among the church goods transferred from the old to the new officers, were five large gravestones and twelve pieces of brass, belonging to these stones, weighing ten pounds fifteen ounces. Perhaps

these memorials of the dead had been removed from their places at the appearance of Dowsing, and afterwards restored, as against this entry, in a contemporary hand, is the following memorandum :-"These stones and brasses are laid in the church and chancel."

By referring to an earlier date, entries are found connected with the construction of two dials over the porch. The first account is in 1625. In that year, John Houghton was paid thirty shillings for drawing out and painting a dial upon the south porch. "William Durrant, one shilling and three pence for stageing for the setting up of the dial, and John Badiston five shillings and ten pence for the cocke and other iron about the dial."

On the 28th of February, 1655, it was ordered that the sun dial should be made over the porch at the charge of the parish, " in a beautiful and substantial manner."

The church of St. Mary Tower contains many mural monuments and sepulchral slabs. Here lies

Samuel Ward, of whom mention has been made. On the cast wall of the chancel is a tablet to Matthew Lawrence, also an author, and of whom honourable notice has been given. The brasses have been already enumerated at page 343. The following is an acrostic inscription to William Smart, who died September, 23, 1599, mentioned at page 347. illustration of this tablet is given.

An

What can a deade man feede and cloth and holy precepts giue?
It can not be tush tell not me I know he still dooth liue.
Liue then sweete Soule in ample rest example to the rest,
Like thine his ground must low be laid that high wil build his nest.
If none think now on thank: if out of sight be out of minde:
Although tis wrong: yit light's thy los, that heuenly thank dost finde.
May neuer yet faire Ipswich nye be foully so unkinde.

Schooles, Churches, Orphanarye roomes shal keepe ye stil in sight,
M en, Weem'n, Children, ould and yung, shal wail the day and night.
A las then not for ye wee cri but for our selues alas,
Ruing the want of such a wight as al thine age did pas.

T hus I le poore Man one did moorne, thus gras bewayled gras.

St. Mary Tower is a Perpetual Curacy, and in the gift of the parishioners. In the return of 1831, the annual value is stated to be £103 per annum.

The list of persons holding the preferment is imperfect, and the following are all the names appearing in the Registers of the Diocese :

1685, Joseph Cutlove............ The king

This is the period when the power of presentation was said to have been vested in the crown. On reference to the Churchwardens' books however, it appears that Mr. Cutlove was appointed by the parishioners.