"In May, 1745—
"A dismal Storm of Hail fell upon this Town, and some other adjacent ones, wch did considerable damage both to the Windows and Corn. Many of the stones measured six inches in circumference. It broke almost all the South and West Windows both of this House and my Vicarage House at Stillington.
L. STERNE."
"In the year 1741—
"Hail fell in the midst of Summer as big as a Pidgeon's egg, wch unusual occurrence I thought fit to attest under my hand.
L. STERNE."
These two accounts of hailstorms are supposed to be only quizzes upon prodigious entries of the same sort made by Vicar Walker in 1698. And that this latter is so is evident, from the concluding words being the same as in Walker's memorandum.
Sterne is characteristically exhibited in the subjoined account by the successor of the "reverend joker":
"In the year 1764, during the Incumbency of Mr. Lawrence Sterne, the Vicarage House was burnt down. Tho' frequently admonished and required to rebuild the Vicarage House, he found means to evade the performance of it. He continued Vicar till he died, in March, 1768. Andrew Cheap was appointed his successor, and was advised to accept a composition for Dilapidations from the Widow. A Suit was instituted for Dilapidations, but after a time (the Widow being in indigent circumstances) sixty pounds were accepted.