CHARLES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all Mayors, Bayliffs, Constables, and other Our Officers and Ministers, Civil and Military, whom it may concern, Greeting. In pursuance of Our Declaration of the 15th of March, 1671–2. We have allowed, and we do hereby allow of a Room or Rooms in the house of Elizabeth Hopdon, widd. of Gouldhurst in Kent, to be a place for the Use of such as do not conform to the Church of England, who are of the Perswasion commonly called presbyterian to meet and assemble in, in order to their publick Worship and Devotion. And all and Singular Our Officers and Ministers, Ecclesiastical, Civil, and Military, whom it may concern, are to take due notice hereof: And they and every of them, are hereby strictly charged and required to hinder any tumult or disturbance, and to protect them in their Said Meetings and Assemblies. Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the 9th day of December, in the 24th year of Our Reign, 1672. By His Majesties Command, ARLINGTON. Wi dd. Hopdons house. The Toleration Act, 1 Wm. and Mary, 1. c. 18, which exempted Dissenters from the penalties of certain laws, was confirmed by statue 10 Anne, c. 2. CHAPTER XX. THE BIRDS AND THEIR HAUNTS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BRIGHTON. The Sussex coast is a favourite locality for the greater portion of our British Birds, more particularly the migratory species. The high headlands to the eastward seem to be a great attraction to them by day, and, as a great many take nocturnal flight, the glare of light at night sent high into the vault of the heavens from the gas lamps in the town of Brighton, attracts a great number to this neighbourhood, and many rare specimens have been obtained. The migration of birds is a subject of considerable interest in their natural history to the Ornithologist. It was formerly supposed that many birds, which now are known for a certainty to migrate, retired to some secure retreat, and remained dormant through the winter. So general was this impression that in some districts of England seven of the migratory birds obtained the names of the seven sleepers. The Cuckoo was one of these; and the Swallows were supposed to lie up in a torpid state during the winter. Most birds migrate, and those which cross the seas are called “Birds of Passage.” A great number of our birds remove as the cold weather sets in, from the inland districts towards the sea shores, which afford them a better supply of food.