other sincere patriots, they were disbanded with the most grateful acknowledgments.

Dissenters.

In George-street, the Independents have a neat chapel, fitted up conveniently, with seats and a gallery.

The Methodists, disciples of the doctrines of Westley, have a meeting-house at Northend.

The Anabaptists have a chapel, with an adjoining Burial-ground, in the Old Town.

The Quakers have a meeting-house in the Back-lane, with a Burial-ground; they have lately made an addition to their building.

The Book Society.

This, like many others in different parts of the country, is an association for the desirable purpose of affording to many respectable and well-informed persons, who may not have the means of procuring the numerous publications of the present day, the opportunity of perusing

instructive and entertaining books. According to the rules of the society, every member pays £22 per annum, as a contribution, for the purchase of such books as the society may approve; which of course every subscriber is entitled to read, but necessarily for a limited time. At the expiration of every year, there is a meeting of the society, at the King's Arms, when the books are disposed of amongst the members, to each highest bidder.

Tournament at Croydon.

On the 15th of December, 1186, in the time of Henry II. at a Tournament appointed to be held at Croydon, John, the seventh Earl of Warren, met with an affliction which humbled and nearly broke his heart, though vehement and proud.

His only son, William, then in his 20th year, the sole hope of that illustrious house, went to this Tournament, and having then accepted the challenge of a Knight who boldly traversed the lists in defiance, was intercepted in his career, and slain.

This Tournament is supposed to have taken place on the firm level of Duppa's Hill.

Watson's Lives of Earls of Warren,

Violent Storms.

On the 12th May 1728, in and about Croydon, fell such a violent storm of Hail and Rain, with Thunder and Lightning, as exceed any ever known before. Several Hailstones being measured, were 8, 9, and 10 inches round. Most of the glass windows that faced the storm, were shattered; beans, pease, &c. were quite cut off; and the cattle were forced into the ditches, where, in consequence of the water rushing suddenly upon them, they were drowned. The vehemence of the tempest, it is said, struck the Hailstones several inches into the ground.

In 1744, much damage was done by Lightning in and near Croydon; in Smitham Bottom, one Mark Welch, who was driving his cart there, was struck dead, and dreadfully scorched.

SKETCH

OF

THE LIFE

OF

THE MOST REVEREND FATHER IN GOD

JOHN WHITGIFT, D. D.

By Divine Providence,

Archbishop of Canterbury,

Primate

OF ALL ENGLAND,

AND

METROPOLITAN.