Blankets, broth, and what were uncomfortably termed broken victuals
had been given away during the winter, and a bewildering amount of
begging women and children used to ask interviews with 'the Lady
Winslow,' with stories that crumbled on investigation so as to make
us recollect the Rector's character of Earlscombe.
However, Mr. Henderson came in the second week of Lent, and what our
steps towards improvement introduced would have seemed almost as
shocking to you youngsters, as what they displaced. For instance, a
plain crimson cloth covered the altar, instead of the rags in the
colours of the Winslow livery, presented, according to the queer old
register, by the unfortunate Margaret. There was talk of velvet and
the gold monogram, surrounded by rays, alternately straight and
wavy, as in our London church, but this was voted 'unfit for a plain
village church.' Still, the new hangings of pulpit, desk, and altar
were all good in quality and colour, and huge square cushions were
provided as essential to each. Moreover, the altar vessels were
made somewhat more respectable,--all this being at my father's
expense.
He also carried in the Vestry, though not without strong opposition
from a dissenting farmer, that new linen and a fresh surplice should
be provided by the parish, which surplice would have made at least
six of such as are at present worn.
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