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138 KIPLING'S SUSSEX
on June 6th, 1796, of John Costick, who fell over the cliff while engaged in taking mews' eggs, and whose body was floated by the tide to the mouth of the Cuckmere, where it was found.
The old Town Hall (now a Fire Brigade Station) is a relic of bygone days. Its narrow little staircase on the outside, its tiny door of entrance, and its diminutive prison on the level of the road, are objects of interest to the wayfarer.
The town chest contains records in an excellent state of preservation. They commence at 1562, and are almost perfect down to the present time. On a loose paper in the chest is a list of presentments apparently to the Quarter Sessions, some of which are very quaintly put. For example :
" We do present the good wife Pupe for mis usying her tonge to the hurt of hire naybors."
Among the findings are the following :
" We find Thomas Woman's wife sacy upon the witness, but she sagyte his beans and pease were spillide " (i.e., spoiled).
" It that—Hyggyns . . . dothe occupy Typling and not admytted."
The last item may require it to be explained that in the ancient Sussex vocabulary tippling meant the trade of selling liquors, and not as we |
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