under-Edge, comprised a substantial mansion, close to the little Saxon parish church, situate amidst some of the most charming scenery of that part of the Cotswold Hills. Here his vacations, and other intervals snatched from his busy life, were pleasantly spent. His fine herd of shorthorns, and his woods and plantations, afforded him both occupation and pleasure. Looking back on the purchase of this estate he wrote:- "It has proved a source of much happiness to me. All that residence can do to add to the enjoyment of life, Ozleworth for twenty years has done for me, and it still contributes at least as much to my happiness as ever."

In 1852 he again unsuccessfully sought a seat in Parliament by contesting the borough of Bridport: but in 1857 was invited to stand for West Gloucestershire, and was elected as knight of the shire, without opposition. The same good fortune attended him at re-elections in 1859 and 1866. His unofficial parliamentary career will be remembered by the Act popularly called "Rolt's Act," passed by his exertions

in 1862.

Official preferment came in 1866, when he was appointed Attorney-General, and became Sir John Rolt. In his official capacity he had a large share of the work in passing through the House of Commons the Reform Bill of 1867. For thirty-one years he had been opposed to an extension of the Franchise, but he could no longer ignore the fact that a great democratic change must come. He saw not only that resistance would be useless, but arrived at the conclusion that household suffrage was a necessary, and in a sense, a salutary measure by which the country would be the gainer." Thus satisfied as to the line of duty, he remained at his post. and did good service.

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Before the close of that session Sir John was elevated to the Bench, on the death of Lord Justice Turner, thus obtaining what he terms "the most honourable and valuable purely judicial appointment under the Crown." He was also sworn in as a Privy-Councillor.

During this period of his life he had added another Cotswold estate to his possessions. This was the picturesque Manor of Miserden which he bought of Mr. Lyons, subsequently purchasing Miserden House of Mr. J. Mills. In this sequestered village he is respectfully and gratefully remembered, having left behind him many proofs of his concern for the comfort and welfare of its inhabitants. Mr. William Bradley, who has worthily held the office of parish clerk for nearly fifty-three years, writes, "I knew Sir John Rolt well. He was a wonderful man, and no mistake. I think he certainly deserves a place among the worthies of Gloucestershire." Mr. Bradley proceeds to tell how Sir John, though not himself residing in the village, but only occasionally visiting his son, the late Mr. John Rolt, who occupied Miserden House, "was ever ready in any good work.” He rebuilt nearly all the cottages on the estate, erecting new dwellings of a most convenient style. For the use of the village Benefit Club, which had held its meetings at a public-house, he erected a commodious room, which now also serves as a schoolroom by day and a reading room in the evening. He likewise provided garden allotments, which have proved a great benefit to the parish. He contributed liberally towards the restoration of the fine old parish church; and was always willing to aid with his purse any good cause.

Wearied with his heavy labour, he spent the Long Vacation of 1867 partly at Ozleworth and partly in a six weeks' cruise in a Portsmouth pilot boat. On returning to Ozleworth for the Christmas vacation he occupied himself with woodcraft and farm pursuits. On January 3rd, 1868, he had his last gallop with the hounds of the Berkeley Hunt. The next day he was seized with paralysis. There was partial recovery, but not such as enabled him to resume his public duties. "His books, his woods, his herd, and above all, the dutiful and tender care which he received in his family circle, were his consolation and resource during the three years and a half that elapsed after the commencement of this illness."

He adds, as other sources of relief and comfort, the composition of his own memoirs, the occasional visits of friends, and he recurrence of his mind to more serious thoughts. The end came on June 6th, 1871, and on the 12th he was laid to rest in a vault, which had recently been finished under his directions, in Ozleworth Churchyard. A granite monument covering the spot is inscribed "The family vault of The Right Honourable Sir John Rolt, Knight. Died June 6, 1871, aged 66 years." In the east end of the little church a stained glass window of great beauty, illustrating the incident in the life of Gamaliel, the Jewish Doctor of Law, recorded in Acts v., 34, bears the inscription, "In Memoriam Johannis Rolt, Equitis, 1871."

Sir John is described as a man of dignified aspect, of winning manners, and of most agreeable tones of voice, all being eminently calculated to please and inspire confidence. To his private worth there are high testimonies; while not only in capacity but in fairness, temper, and courtesy, he has been pronounced an unexceptionable judge.

Sir John was twice married, but survived his second wife. He left by his first wife one son and three daughters; and by his second wife an only child, a son. He was succeeded in his estates by his eldest son, the late Mr. John Rolt, who was unfortunately killed by a fall from his horse while hunting, at Wanswell, on December 23rd, 1876, at the age of forty-two; and whose son, Mr. John William Rolt, is the present proprietor of Ozleworth Park.

NOTES.

1.-Reasons are given for inferring that Mr. Rolt also practised the profession of an architect, in addition to his other pursuits.

2. His clerk, a boy of thirteen named Gloster, remained with him long enough to become his Chamber Clerk, when he was raised to the Bench. Mr. Gloster enjoyed in a high degree his esteem and regard.

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LOUCESTERSHIRE is indebted to the late Rev. H. C.

Nicholls, M.A., Perpetual Curate of Holy Trinity, Dean Forest, for two books of great local value and interest. The first of these works, published in 1858, is "An Historical and Descriptive Account of the Forest of Dean." The second, which appeared in 1863, is an appendix to the former, and is entitled, "The Personalities of the Forest of Dean." Readers who were not acquainted with the history of the district were surprised to find that so many families of note had been or still were connected with it. In some of these families individual members have, in several instances, attained eminence by their characters or their works, leaving names which Foresters hold in honour.

The list, including the names of Bathurst, Colchester, Crawley, Jones, Machen, Probyn, Pyrke and Winter, is too long for full quotation. Yet, it was then by no means complete, and is now much less so. Many other families may be mentioned, and many another name is entitled to a place among the Forest Worthies. One, which by common consent has been deservedly added to the long roll, is that of THOMAS NICHOLSON-emphatically the "Foresters' Friend.”

The Nicholsons of Coleford are said to have descended from the clan Mac Nicol-genuine Highlanders of Celtic origin, being descendants of O'Niochal, of the district now known as Queen's County, Ireland. The Mac Nicols' centre of location is Skye, where they have been for over a thousand

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years. Branches of this old stock have widely spread. "Nearly every Nicholson in the South-West of England is," it is said, descended from John the Sailor, of Portree, Skye, and of Dartmouth, Devonshire. The folk lore pertaining to this John is supported by the written statement of one of his descendants, long since deceased, of his birth on Scottish soil of Scottish ancestry." To this branch of the family the Forest Nicholsons belong.

In preparing this sketch of Mr. Thomas Nicholson much help has been received from Mr. Benjamin Wilmot Provis, of Coleford, who was for many years favoured with his friendship and confidence in an eminent degree. Intimately acquainted with his life and character, Mr. Provis esteems him a man of remarkable mental force and high moral and religious excellence, who for "the last half-century was the most prominent figure in Forest history," and exercised a powerful influence for good within the Forest borders. Thousands besides, who also knew him, have formed a like estimate of his abilities and his labours. A brief record of facts will help to show the grounds on which he is thus regarded.

Thomas Nicholson was born at Whitecliff, Coleford, on April 13, 1805, in the farmhouse which is known also as the birthplace of the gifted authoress, Mary Howitt. He was the son of Thomas and Esther Nicholson, who had come from Plymouth in 1802, and commenced a grocery and drapery business in Coleford. His mother was a daughter of the Rev. Isaiah Birt, who was a native of Coleford, and whose name, and also those of his two sons John and Caleb, shine brightly in Baptist Church annals.

His education was obtained at Newland Grammar School; and beyond this he appears to have had no special intellectual training or advantages. The natural abilities with which he was endowed were, however, turned to good acount. Storing his mind with information, and well disciplining his powers, he grew in knowledge and mental vigour. He became a clerk in the office of Messrs. Trotter, Thomas and Co., at Winnall's