of yᵉ grettest bell vjˢ. viij. d.
& for yᵉ testimonyall’ of the
dedicacion of yᵉ sam Church
vjˢ viii. d. on whos soules
ihu have mercy Amen.
I observed that z is here twice put for y—and the fact reminded me of the pronunciation of the agricultural people here.
As I left the quaint little sanctuary I found an old labouring man standing outside gazing at it wistfully in an attitude of meditation. I was glad to see this. “The poorest,” I thought, “can appreciate the ancient and the beautiful.” But his reflections were more practical. As I passed he gave me a curious look, and said, with a twinkle in his grey eyes—
“Richest living about Winchester, zir.”
“Indeed,” I replied. “How much do you make it?”
“Eight hundred and fifty, zir.”