We shall learn later more of this old Sussex industry, but here, in the heart of St. Leonard's Forest, I might quote also what another old author, with less invention, says of it. Under the heading of Sussex manufactures, Thomas Fuller writes, in the _Worthies_, of great guns:-- "It is almost incredible how many are made of the Iron in this County. Count _Gondomer_ well knew their goodness, when of King James he so often begg'd the boon to transport them. A Monke of Mentz (some three hundred years since) is generally reputed the first Founder of them. Surely _ingenuity_ may seem _transpos'd_, and to have _cross'd her hands_, when about the same time a Souldier found out Printing; and it is questionable which of the two Inventions hath done more good, or more harm. As for Guns, it cannot be denied, that though most behold them as _Instruments of cruelty_; partly, because subjecting _valour_ to _chance_; partly, because _Guns give no quarter_ (which the Sword sometimes doth); yet it will appear that, since their invention, Victory hath not stood so long a Neuter, and hath been determined with the loss of fewer lives. Yet do I not believe what Souldiers commonly say, 'that _he was curs'd in his Mother's belly, who is kill'd with a Cannon_,' seeing many prime persons have been slain thereby." [Sidenote: SUSSEX IRON WORKS] Cannon were not, of course, the only articles which the old Sussex ironmasters contrived. The old railings around St. Paul's were cast in Sussex; and iron fire-backs were turned out in great numbers. These are still to be seen in a few of the older Sussex cottages in their original position. Most curiosity dealers in the country have a few fire-backs on sale. Iron tombstones one meets with too in a few of the churches and churchyards in the iron district. There are several at Wadhurst, for example. [Sidenote: THE "LAND SERPENT"]