Transcribed from the 1899 W. K. Morton edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org RECORDS OF WOODHALL SPA AND NEIGHBOURHOOD; HISTORICAL, ANECDOTAL, PHYSIOGRAPHICAL, AND ARCHÆOLOGICAL, WITH OTHER MATTER. BY J. CONWAY WALTER, _Author of_ “_Letters from the Highlands_,” “_Forays among Salmon and Deer_,” “_Literæ Laureatæ_,” “_The Ayscoughs_.” _Notes on Parishes Round Horncastle_, _&c._ HORNCASTLE: W. K. MORTON, HIGH STREET. INTRODUCTION. The series of “Records” of various kinds which will be found in the following chapters are drawn from personal reminiscences, extending over more than half a century, combined with notes collected from many different sources during at least two-thirds of that period. In dealing with such material one is apt, even unconsciously, to be egotistical, and to linger too long and too fondly over scenes and incidents of which one might say, in Virgilian phrase, _quorum pars_, _si non magna_, _at parva fui_. Should the reader deem any portions unduly prolix, he will, perhaps, kindly excuse it on this score. But I have known several instances, and especially of late two in this neighbourhood, when a person advanced in years and of wide experience, has passed away, and there has been a general, and doubtless sincere, regret that he has gone, and all his store of accumulated information gone with him. Circumstances have given me such opportunities—and enjoyed so long—of acquiring a knowledge of Woodhall Spa, and of most matters connected with it, that I am probably stating only the unvarnished truth, when I say that no one else living could bring together the varied details, however inadequately treated, which will here be found. Some of them may seem of small importance in the eyes of many—“caviare to the general”—but I have thought it better that even these minor details should not be consigned to the limbo of the forgotten, because unrecorded. I have approached the subject from different points of view—historical, anecdotal, naturalist, and archæological, so as to cater for the different tastes of readers. Inheriting an interest in Woodhall Spa, hallowed by cherished associations, my aim has been so to unfold its many attractions, even in beast, bird, and flower, as to communicate an interest in it to others as well.