Petherton and I have just emerged from another bombardment. Certain
correspondence in _The Surbury Gazette and North Herts Courier_ gave
me a welcome excuse for firing what I may term a sighting shot. I
wrote to my genial neighbour as follows:--
DEAR MR. PETHERTON,--No doubt you have seen the recent letters in the
local paper anent the remains of the old Cross, which are at once an
ornament to Castle Street, Surbury, and a standing menace to the peace
of mind of the local antiquarians.
I am exceedingly interested in the matter myself and feel that the
views of one who, I am sure, adds a wide knowledge of archæology
to the long list of his accomplishments, would be both interesting
and instructive to myself and (if you would allow your views to be
published) to our little community in general.
If therefore you will write and let me know your opinion on the
matter I shall take it as a friendly and cousinly (_vide_ certain
eighteenth-century documents in the Record Office) act.
Yours sincerely,