armorial bearings of that noble family is a chequered board; wherefore the publican, to shew that he had a license, put out that mark as part of his sign," on which, Mr Brand observes,-" Why did the publican take but part of the Arundel arms, and why this part rather than any other ?" Another writer in the same periodical for September, 1794, says: "I think it was the great Earl Warrenne, if not, some descendant or heir near him, not beyond the time of Rufus, who had an exclusive power of granting licenses to sell beer; and that his agent might collect the tax more readily, the door posts were painted in Chequers,' the arms of Warrenne then, and to this day." These various surmises, however, are now set at rest since the exhumation of Pompeii, in which buried city the sign of the "Chequers, as in present use, was found painted on the door post of a Tavern; so that we may safely conclude, it was a common designation for ale houses in Roman Britain, as, at this day, in our own England. The "Chequers," or "Red Lattice," at Southborough, whichever the sturdy yeoman or peasant might have called it in the days of yore, still retains some internal evidence of byegone importance. In the tap-room are the remains of a fine old-fashioned chimney, which has doubtless witnessed the consump. tion of many a "yule log," and wafted to the outward air the echoes of many a jovial song. Within this same room is also a piece of furniture, which, if not so ancient as the chimney, may still, in its make, be traced to the period of the elder Tudors ;this is a massive oak table, which, according to tradition, has descended through a regular succession of "mine hostes to the present comely "Dame Quickley of the hostel. It is the very prototype described in the Song: "Nor be it forgot, I was once an oak tree; Tho' now I am but an oak table." It is a pity that the dog-irons should have been removed from the old chimney-place, and a modern range set up in their stead; but this desecration, alas! was committed by the husband of the present hostess, who exercised the "crafte and mysterie" of a bricklayer. Had he but withheld his ruthless hand, the modern way-farer, when seated in the "Chequers," at this old oak table, with a tankard of foaming "nut brown ale" before him and the crackling logs blazing in the spacious old fire place, might have carried himself back in imagination to the quaffing companionship of those "stout Kentish yeomen" who, in the days of Queen Bess, were wont "at eventide" to regale themselves in the very room he is then sitting. Over the mantle piece in one of the upper apartments, designated "the best bed room," hangs an ancient oil painting representing the full length portraits of two handsome females, one nursing and in the act of kissing, a naked infant; the other with a child beside her and resting on her shoulder, a book containing the following inscription in Roman capitals, C. R. V. M. C. L. D. V. M. N. The figures are standing against a rock forming the back ground, from the summit of which, a large bird is looking down upon them. Unfortunately the picture is considerably damaged from the combined effects of age and neglect, having been handed down along with the old oak table, as a kind of heir-loom to the Hostel. At no great distance from the "Chequers," stands another relic of antiquity, Turpington Farm house, which is built almost entirely of flint stones, and which, according to tradition, was a prison in the olden time, a fact in some measure corroborated by the thickness of its walls, and by a contiguous spot called "Hangman's Hole," which is pointed out as the place where criminals were formerly executed. A court house is also said to have stood in a field on the other side of the road opposite to this ancient prison and modern farm house; but all traces of its existence are now lost, although, some few years back, several large ploughed up, which are supposed to have formed part of the foundation of the original building. We are not aware, however, of any record now extant to verify a fact of such importance as the establishment of a prison and court of justice at Southborough. The only probable conjecture is, that being part and parcel of the parish of Bromley, which, during the Norman and Plantagenet periods, possessed a castellated residence of the Bishops of Rochester, who, in those days, as often wielded the spiked mall, as the hooked crozier-and who were invested with all the privileges of feudal barons, not stones were the least of which was that of depriving their vassals of life and liberty-this locality might have been selected for the exercise of their judicial powers; for even in those arbitrary times the semblance of a trial was kept up previous to the condemnation of an offender. This conjecture is further supported by the etymology of the name "borough," in this instance evidently a corruption of "barrow,"-a word in the Celtic lauguage implying a grave or place of sepulutre.' Now as there is neither any trace nor tradition of this spot having been a Town or Borough, and as it is situated at the Southern extremity of the parish of Bromley, the name of "Southbarrow was most probably given to it as being the burial place of the criminals who expiated the penalty of their offences at Hangman's Hole; no unreasonable supposition. Moreover this appellation "SOUTHBARROW" is given to Mr Hamilton's residence, which stands on the site of another ancient hostelry heretofore called the "Barley Mow." This edifice was enlarged and remodelled into a private mansion about the year 1750, by Governor Cameron, who resided here many years, and frequently entertained at his board, the late King George III.; but the stately old Cedar tree still remains o'ershadowing its roof as a record of the past. The mansion afterwards came into possession of the late General Brown, a veteran soldier of the Peninsular war, who added to it a spacious drawing room, the plate glass windows of which were brought from Carlton House, the palatial residence of George IV., when Prince of Wales; and the mahogany barge boards are said to have been the remains of some Spanish boats in the enemy's service, captured during that memorable campaign,in which the General's brother, Sir John, was severely wounded. This estate was at one time remarkable for the number and size of its Elm trees, many of which were cut down immediately after the death of the General; but there is one still standing on the lawn, the trunk of which measures 21 feet in circumference, at the height of one foot from the ground. BLACKBROOK, the residence of the Rev. J. E. Newell, was originally a farm house with fifty acres of land attached to it, and was purchased from Mr Wells, of Bickley, by the present owner, who has considerably enlarged and improved it, and displayed so much taste in its alteration that the structure is now an elegant and commodious dwelling. A few hundred yards N.E. of Blackbrook formerly stood another ancient farm house, the site of which is marked by an aged pear tree, on which, a former proprietor hanged himself. With this episode are concluded the annals of Southborough. I shall now resume my journey to Downe. WEST KENT PLOUGHING MATCH. The The forty-second anniversary of tho West Kent Agricultural Association was held on Tuesday the 21st ult. The day was very favourable as compared with the rough weather we had the Sunday and Monday previous, and also since only one shower occurred during the day. The ploughing took place at Turpington Farm, Southborough, in the occupation of Mrs Wells. The land, generally, was in much better condition than could have been expected, but in some parts was very heavy from the effects of the late rains. Fifty-seven ploughs were entered for competition, most of which were in their work by half-past nine o'clock, and presented a very animated and interesting scene. ploughing, with very few exceptions, was pronounced by the Judges, to be excellent, while the lookers on, who were not competent to judge of the quality of the work in other respects, could not but admire the straightness and particular evenness of the furrows. At the conclusion of the ploughing, about three o'clock, the company and competitors assembled at a central spot where a waggon had been placed as a substitute for a platform for the Committee of management. G.W. Norman, Esq., president of the Association, in accordance with usual custom, in a short but very appropriate address, said he had taken part in these annual competitions the last nineteen years, and that the greater part of what he had to say he had said on former occasions, but he would repeat, that experience had confirmed him in the belief that these annual competitions were of the utmost importance to the Agricultural interest, as well to masters as to men. The public recognition of good workmanship, which these societies afforded, could not fail to produce beneficial results on the workmen themselves. Agriculture was the first of all arts, and he who distinguished himself in it was deserving of great honour. He had seen many fields in which ploughing matches had taken place, but he never saw one in which the work was better, or so well done, as that done that day. After referring to the distress in the cotton districts, Mr. Norman ended by stating that it would always afford him a pleasure to address them as long ahi s health permitted. With regard to that day's ploughing, he thought much of it was so good that it must have been very difficult for the Judges to decide which was the best. The names of the successful candidates Class I. Two-horse Ploughs (not turnrise). 3 John Weeks Mrs. Weeks - Mack Howard Mack Class II. Three and four-horse (not turnrise. 1 Geo, Blackstone Mr. J. Allen 2 Charles Parker Do. 3 George Woollard Mr. R. Morris e 4 Edward Baugh Mr. Gibbon 5 James Fuller.. Mr. J. Covel e 6 James Doe ..... Mrs. Wells 7 John Griffith.. Mr. Egerton. 1 Thom. Johnson Mr. Griffin th 1 Ransome Mack Mack Mack Class III. & IV. Turnrise.-(6 competitors.) Collin 2 William Wood. W.A. Wilkinson, Esq. Wood 3 J. Etherington. Mr. Thomas Covell Mill Class V. Lads under 18.—(1 competitor.) 1 John Cronk S. Scott, Esq. Howard lent dinner was provided; Western Wood, Esq., M.P., occupied the chair, and Captain Satterthwaite the vice-chair. Justice having been done to the good things on the table, the chairman in giving the usual loyal toasts, alluded to her Majesty's temporary detention on the continent by the stormy winds, and prayed for her safe return; and also to the approaching marriage of the Prince of Wales, to whom he wished all happiness. The toast of" The Archbishop and Clergy" gave occasion to the chairman to refer to the lamented decease of the late Archbishop whose memory would long be cherished. The present Archbishop would find himself placed somewhat at a disadvantage in succeeding so good a man, but ke (the chairman) was sure, from all that was known of him, he would not be long ere he held the same place in the affections of the people as did the late Archbishop. (hear, hear.) The chairman next proposed "The Army and Navy, the Militia, and the Volunteers." He passed a high eulogium on the services of the army and navy, and expressed the opinion that we might no less confidently rely upon the zeal and gallantry of the militia and volunteers should the hour of danger come. He coupled the name of Captain Satterthwaite with the toast. (cheers.) Capt. SATTERTHWAITE said he was sorry no member of either the army or navy was present to reply to the toast of the chairman, so warmly received by the company, and said it was always a great pleasure to the Volunteers to be connected with the army and navy, in the toast which had just been given. The two older services had always shewn their readiness to defend their country to the utmost of their power, and their duties were by no means light. Nevertheless, it was the general belief a few years ago, from the threatening aspect of affairs, and extensive military preparaforces would have more work on their tions going on around us, that the regular hands than they could well do. A powerful auxiliary of Volunteers has now been With this, the business in the fields was organized throughout the country, and concluded, and the committee with their there is no doubt, should the misfortune friends, abont 60, adjourned to Mr Sutton's, arise that may require their assistance they the Bell Hotel, Bromley, where an excel-will be found equal to the task, and not Champion Class.-(11 competitors.) 1 G. Bartholomew Mr. E. Sheppard Howard The Judges were Mr. Bradford (Croydon). Mr. Iawrence (West Wickham), Mr. Purvis (Beckenham), Mr. Buckle (Keston), Mr. R. Morris (Lee), and Mr. Snow (Down). be behind the Army and Navy, either in discipline or courage: he held that opinion of the present 18th Kent Volunteers. After three years' experience he was enabled to say that the volunteers had greatly improved in drill and discipline. They fell into their places promptly and readily, whether singly, in battalion, or in brigade (hear.) They were altogether a different body of men to what they were at first. Those who continued were good, solid men, while those, who joined at first but did not much care about it in their hearts, had shuffled off (laugh.) Those who remained were all of the right sort (hear) Now. out of the 140 belonging to his regiment, he knew of only one who was solely connected with the agricultural interest. If anybody had anything to defend from a foreign foe it was the agriculturists of this country, and concluded by urging the Yoemen to become volunteers (hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN then gave what was emphatically the toast of the evening, "Success to the West Kent Agricultural Society." Of course it was expected that he should say something appropriate to the occasion, and that was his difficulty. He might in one sense call himself a farmer, but he could not boast of any agricultural skill, either theoretical or practical. He farmed a good deal of land, but he could not honestly say that he had found in his fields that auriferous substratum which he trusted the gentlemen present had discovered. The truth was that he did not really farm for profit, and, therefore, he did not feel so wofully disappointed at the results as he otherwise might have been (A laugh.) He was farmer enough to keep a watchful eye upon the price of wheat, and he must confess that lately their prospects had not been particularly encouraging. The Americans just now were so busy cutting each other's throats that they had neither money to buy nor time to eat.-(a laugh) and their corn had come in such large quantities into our market as to depress the quotations to the extent of about 10s. per quarter. At the same time, he did not think they ought to feel too much discouraged, and he should advise all who were not unfortunately obliged to pull down their stacks to let them stand for the present where they are. (Hear.) Our own wheat crops had not this season been too abundant, and the present rush of supplies from America must sooner or later terminate, after which they would see the price of wheat return to something like a remunerative figure. (Cheers.) He had read carefully most of the reports of the agricultural meetings this season, and he believed the best and most practical of all the speeches made were those of Mr. Disraeli, at Slough, and of Sir Edw. Lytton Bulwer, at to the subject of agriculture, and gave their Hertford. They confined themselves strictly hearers much sound and good advice. One of those gentlemen pointed out amongst other things the great advantages that would arise if there were a sort of central meeting in every county open to all comers, instead of competing against itself. Another point had each district being continually as it were been a good deal discussed—namely, the question of rewards to agricultural labourers, which were condemned by many persons. That condemnation he did not agree with. He believed the labouring population were proud of their rewards-which were their ought always to be accompanied by a proper Victoria Crosses. (Cheers.) They, however, certificate, which might be handed down from father to son. He had had good evidence of the estimation in which such certificates were held, and the pride with which they were exhibited. One of the city companies of which he was a member had almshouses in the county of Bucks and at Harrietsham in Kent, and on a late occasion he had formed one of a party to visit them. He had seen in some of the rooms of the people who lived in these almshouses certificates framed and glazed, and taken the greatest care of, to which the inmates pointed with honest pride and exultation. These institutions were extremely useful, not only by promotiug a more frequent and more friendly intercourse amongst all classes connected with the land, but in stimulating them to try improved methods of cultivation. No farmer could see the admirable work done that day but must be rendered desirous to have ploughmen capable of equal excellence. The chairman, adverting to the existing state of affairs in America, said, there is one subject so intimately connected with the interests of those present that he could scarcely avoid referring to it; that was the horrible war in America, which was causing so much distress in one part of our country. The suffering people were entitled, not only to our smpathy, but to a helping hand, and their conduct had shown us most clearly one of the finest examples of the blessings of education. The workmen in the North knew the causes of their distress, otherwise we should not have seen them so quietly and peacefuly submitting to their lot. They knew that it was no fault of the Government or of their employers, and they submitted to the calamity in a manner which did them the Mr. PAWLEY then read out a long list of new subscribers, and between 20 and 30 were added to the roll. Several donations had also been received, among which was one by S. Scott, Esq., Sundridge Park. The committee, excepting one changes, was re-elected. or two G. WARDE NORMAN, Esq., then proposed the health of the chairman of the day(cheers)—and in doing so begged to say a few words on the subject of steam cultivation, which seemed to be the great agricultural question of these times. I have seen but little myself of steam cultivation, but I have heard much and read a great deal about it. In its present condition it is only under rare circumstances that it can be profitably employed. There must be a large extent of land in one hand so that the great capital this machinery requires may be fully employed, for if it lies idle it will soon eat up all the profits in interest. Then the land should be tolerably level, and not too undulating; the fields must be large; and there are many other circumstances which seem to indicate that for small farmers it must prove an utterly unprofitable speculation. The speaker, after making some further remarks, concluded by giving the health of "The Chairman," which was drunk with much greatest honour. (Cheers.) With regard to the war itself, nothing more horrible had ever taken place in this world. It was a struggle between brothers, between men speaking the same language; and the accounts which reached us were most frightful. There appeared at present to be no prospect of an end to the struggle, which seemed to be as far from a settlement as it was at the commencement. Our sympathies, to a great extent, went with one side; but with the quarrel itself we had nothing to do. He hoped, for the sake of the honour and glory of this country, that her Majesty's Government would persevere in that course which they had laid down and so religiously followed, and which had received the approbation of the country at large, and that they would continue to observe a strict neutrality between the contending parties. We had nothing to do with their quarrels, and could only offer our sincere and earnest prayers that it would please God to point out to the belligerents the enormity of the offence they were committing, and induce them to consent to a peace which would restore not only prosperity to themselves but to a most important portion of our country. There was, however, a circumstance to which he had promised to allude to before he sat down connected with the subject of cultiva-applause. tion. There was a company coming out in this neighbourhood called the West Kent Steam Plough Company, which it was in tended should acquire an amount of steam machinery sufficient for the neighbourhood, to be let out on hire. This he thought was a useful and practical undertaking, and he wished it every success. He was neither interested in it himself nor asking them to take shares; but he mentioned it because he believed it would confer a great benefit on the neighbourhood. It was not to be expected Mr. SNOW, in returning thanks, said that that many farmers could set up for them- although agriculture had made great strides selves all this expensive machinery, but in during the last twenty years, it had not prothe way proposed they might avail them-gressed so much as horticulture, in proof of selves of its advantages. He understood that the promoters of the scheme held a meeting the other day, when £1,100 was subscribed on the spot, and all by farmers, and he had no doubt when the details were made public the shares would all rapidly be taken up. The preliminary arrangements were in a forward state, and he heard that it was hoped to bring the scheme into operation this season. (Hear.) The toast was then drunk, with great applause. Mr. OWEN, the hon. secretary, then read a statement of accounts, from which it appeared that there was a balance in hand in favour of the society. The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the compliment and gave the health of Mr. Norman, the President of the Association, and spoke highly of that gentleman's services to the public as an active and upright magistrate, and as the chairman of the Board of Guardians -The toast was drunk with great cordiality, and suitably ackowledged. The CHAIRMAN next gave "Mrs. Wells, and thanks to her for the use of her fields;' and afterwards the health of "The Judges." which he mentioned the gigantic roots exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens at Kensington, far larger than anything ever produced by farmers. Mr. NORMAN, in complimentary terms, gave "Mr. Pawley and the Committee of Management." Mr. PAWLEY responded, and said they had endeavoured to have a steam plongh exhibited at work that day. The money was all ready, but at the last moment they were dissappointed. Iu conclusion, he proposed the health of Mr. Scott, of Sundridge Park, a gentleman who was always ready to assist in any way when he was required. Dr.FARRE proposed the health of the secre |