increased three thousand per cent." Mr. Provis adds, “In this increase he was, it may be truly stated, the principal factor."

In his theology he was sternly orthodox, and somewhat - dogmatic in his presentation of what he deemed "sound doctrine." His Nonconformist views were decided; his Liberalism staunch. He was the first to introduce Colonel Kingscote to the Forest constituency. As a public speaker he was fluent and effective.

With a memory of great strength, and an unfailing fund of information and anecdote, mingled with much readiness of wit, he was an excellent companion. What a volume of Forest anecdotes he could have written ! One pathetic incident, which he related in a sermon on prayer, may be given. He was one day passing through a secluded part of the Forest, when a little child from a lonely cottage ran after him. Looking him eagerly in the face she asked "Man, can you pray?" Surprised at the strange enquiry, he gave a kind and simple reply. "Then come," said the child earnestly, "come and pray for my father, for him's a-dying."

He was a lover of children, and was a great encourager of Sunday schools. At the centenary celebration in 1880, he was the centre round which teachers and scholars gathered in the Forest. His own scholars whom he had taught between the years 1820 and 1830, were invited to take tea with him. "It was a climax of joy to the old man's heart," says Mr. W. Higgs,

In person Mr. Nicholson was tall, with a large and powerful frame. His somewhat rugged countenance, while indicating the force of his character, also expressed his intelligence and kindness. It is said that his head was perhaps the largest in the Forest, and that hats had to be made to fit it. His appearance, voice, and manner all bespoke him a man of mark.

Around the name of Thomas Nicholson, those of many who were his friends and co-workers might be grouped.

Among those of his own denomination might be mentioned Benjamin Stevens, of Ryeford, Dr. Batten, of Coleford, William Rhodes, of Cinderford, and "honest John Hall of Gorsley,”—all "good men and true.”

NOTE.

1.-Mr. Handel Cossham, the employer of 1,500 workpeople, has recently asserted that if total abstinence prevailed wages would be raised 25 per cent.--without strikes or agitation, and with injury to no one; and Mr. Bright, in a lately published letter, has declared his opinion that "if the sale of drink were unknown among us, half the crime, poverty, and suffering would disappear."

CANON LYSONS, M.A., F.R.S., F.S.A., &c.

[1806-1877.]

HE Lysons' family has been connected with Gloucestershire for upwards of three centuries. Of ancient Welsh origin, as mentioned in Leland's "Itinerary," they came into this county in the reign of Edward VI. Westbury-on-Severn was probably one of their earliest places of location, but they soon spread to other parts of the shire. With some parishes their names seem inseparably linked. This was notably the case with Hempstead, where they lived through more than two centuries and a half; and with Rodmarton, where the living, of which they are patrons, is at present held by the fourth member of the family who has filled the office of rector since 1756. Their town residence in Gloucester stood in Westgate Street, on the site of Mr. Wyncoll's house, at the corner of St. John's Lane. Portions of the building still remain, and one room, rich in plaster ornamentation, has been partially restored. Several of the family are buried in the Church of St. Mary de Crypt, where there are monuments to their memories.

The name has been borne by many eminent men. Sir Thomas Lysons, who was born at Westbury-on-Severn in 1596, and was Mayor of Worcester in 1651, is famed for his loyalty to the cause of Charles II., whose whole army of 13,000 men he is recorded to have provided with shoes and stockings after their march from Scotland, and just before their defeat at the battle of Worcester. Dr. Daniel Lysons, a man of great learning, was accidentally killed at Hempstead

in 1760. His son Daniel, educated at Oxford, took a Doctor of Laws Degree in 1759; then studied medicine, and taking the degree of M.D. first practised in Gloucester, afterwards removing to Bath and attaining much celebrity in his profession. He was the writer of several medical treatises.

The Rev. Daniel Lysons, M.A., F.R.S., F.A.S., H.S., L.S., and his brother Samuel Lysons, Esq., F.R.S., F.A.S., sons of the Rev. Samuel Lysons, rector of Rodmarton, where they were born-the former in 1762 and the latter a year later— were distinguished antiquarians. Samuel entered as a student of Middle Temple, where he was called to the Bar. He was appointed Keeper of the Records in the Tower, and also Director of the Society of Antiquaries. He died in 1819. Daniel succeeded his father (who died at Friars Orchard, Gloucester, the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Charles Brandon Trye, on March 16, 1804), as rector of Rodmarton, and acquired a high reputation as a topographical and antiquarian student and writer. Both he and his brother wrote numerous well-known works, and were the joint authors of Magna Britannia," and both are often referred to as the highest authorities on some questions of archæology.

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Daniel married a daughter of Colonel Thomas Carteret Hardy, and their eldest son SAMUEL LYSONS-the subject of this memoir-was born at Rodmarton, on March 17, 1806. After some school education, he entered Exeter College, Oxford, and took the degree of B.A. in 1830, and M.A. in 1836. He was ordained deacon in 1830, and priest the following year.

On the death of his father in 1834, he succeeded to the family estates, comprising property in Gloucester, Hempstead, Rodmarton, and other parts of the county; and also succeeding him in the Rectory of Rodmarton. The same year he married Eliza Sophia Teresa, daughter of Major-General Sir Lorenzo Moore, K.C.H., and C.B., and took up his residence. at Hempstead Court, where he continued the rest of his life.

That part of Gloucester lying south of Llanthony Road, and bordered on the east by the Bristol Road and on the west

by the Canal, was at that time known as the High Orchard. It had probably in early times been connected with Llanthony Abbey. It was now chiefly covered with garden allotments, the neighbourhood known as Sudbrook lying at its lower end; while almost close alongside the canal was a row of huts occupied by a numerous population.1

Bishop Monk had long wished to see some efforts made for the spiritual benefit of this district. This work commended itself to Mr. Lysons who, having much property contiguous to the locality, undertook the erection of a church at his own cost. This church, now known as St. Luke's, was opened in 1840, and Mr. Lyson's became its first incumbent. Here for twenty-five years he laboured without pecuniary remuneration. Schools were established and much good effected. On resigning his incumbency in 1865, Mr Lysons presented the late Rev. George Armitage to the living, which he munificently endowed with £1,000, and then placed the patronage in the hands of the Bishop of the Diocese.

As Treasurer of the Triennial Music Meetings, and as a member of all the principal Church Organizations and Charitable Societies of the Diocese, Mr. Lysons was ever active and useful. In 1867 he was made Rural Dean, and also appointed an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral.

Canon Lysons, who largely inherited the tastes and abilities of his distinguished father, was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries; and was likewise a member of the Victoria Institute and the Natural History Society. It was as an Archæologist that he became most widely known, and his varied labours entitled him to a prominent place among our county antiquarians. His researches extended in many directions, and his published works were numerous.

A bare list of the titles of his books is interesting reading, and an index of their contents would make a pleasant chapter. Among the chief of these we may mention "The Romans in Gloucestershire," 1860; The Model Merchant of the Middle Ages;-The Life of Sir Richard Whittington,”

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