that called the "Lanthorn" at Lewes Priory, and having every appearance of a cell for the solitary confinement of delinquents.
On the ground floor were, as I conjecture, the private apartments of the prior; that over the crypt with its double fireplace being the common-room of the canons, from which a staircase ascended to the dormitory on the floor above.
The moat is fed by the little river Cuckmere, which rising in the hills of Heathfield and following its humble course through Hellingly, performs many useful offices, this amongst others; and then, flovring onward through Arhngton and Alfriston, it finds its way at last into the sea in the parish of West Dean.[1] The old bridge which crossed it at Michelham, and had braved the fury of many a flood, has jVist been (it is feared) irretrievably ruined by the extraordinary inundations of the present wint^, (1862-3.) Otters, a race which seems destined to become soon as extinct as the Austin canons them^ selves, are sometimes found, but rarely, to haunt its silent " waters and hollow banks.[2] Owls, too, I cannot forbear to men- tion, frequent the capacious roofs of the old buildings, not only unmolested, but protected by the present worthy occupant, ta the credit of his good taste both for the useful and the picturesque.
Among the mills turned by this stream " unknown to fame," is the ancient mill of the priory. It stands on the outside of the moat, not far from the manor pound and entrance gate of the demesne, a lowly structure, venerable in its simplicity and shaded by the relics of a few trees as venerable as itself, and too worthless, happily, to tempt the woodman's axe. Like other humble things that survive the storms by which loftier neigh- bours are overthrown, it continues to ply its honest vocation aa merrily as when every man in the manor was obliged to bring thither his grist for the prior's gain, and notwithstanding the competition of modem rivals still distributes its benefits within a limited circle. There is even in the large space which lies before the gateway and looks like a natural common, though long inclosed, with its pound for stray cattle, its antique miU, a high
- ↑ Whilst this account was in hand, a pike of eight pounds weight was caught at Michelham, in which was found one of its own species weighing three quarters of a pound, and in this a small roach—all perfect!
- ↑ A few years since three of these animals were seen at one time in the moat, one of which was afterwards captured.
