In revisiting the parish of Bratton Clovelly, the author found little of the outward scenery changed, but the modes of life were in a state of transition. The same hills, the same dear old moors and woods, the same green coombs, the same flowers, the same old church, and the same glorious landscape. The reader will perhaps accept with leniency a slight tale for the sake of the pictures it presents of what is gone for ever, or is fast fading away. Coryndon’s Charity, of course, is non-existent in Bratton parish. The names are all taken, Christian and sire, from the early registers of the parish. Village characteristics, incidents, superstitions have been worked in, from actual recollections. The author has tried to be very close in local colour; and, if it be not too bold a comparison, he would have this little story considered, like one of Birket Foster’s water-colours, rather as a transcript from nature than as a finished, original, highly-arranged and considered picture. *CONTENTS* *OF* *THE FIRST VOLUME.* CHAPTER I. THE BROTHERS-IN-LAW II. THE MONEY-SPINNER III. WELLON’S CAIRN IV. THE WHITE HARE V. ’TIMEO DANAOS ET DONA FERENTES’ VI. THE PROGRESS OF STRIFE VII. CORYNDON’S CHARITY VIII. A MALINGERER IX. CHARLES LUXMORE X. ON THE STEPS XI. IN THE LINNEY XII. LANGFORD XIII. THE REVEL XIV. THE LAMB-KILLER XV. A BOLT FROM THE BLUE XVI. KEEPING WATCH XVII. MRS. VEALE XVIII. TREASURE TROVE *RED SPIDER.* *CHAPTER I.* *THE BROTHERS-IN-LAW.* Heigh! for a badger-skin waistcoat like that of Hillary Nanspian of Chimsworthy! What would not I give to be the owner of such a waistcoat? Many a covetous glance was cast at that waistcoat in the parish church of Bratton Clovelly, in the county of Devon, on Sunday, where it appeared during public worship in a pew; and when the parson read the Decalogue, many a heart was relieved to learn that the prohibition against covetousness did not extend to badger-skin waistcoats. That waistcoat made of the skin of a badger Hillary Nanspian had himself drawn and killed. In colour it was silver-grey graduating to black. The fur was so deep that the hand that grasped it sank into it. The waistcoat was lined with red, and had flaps of fur to double over the breast when the wind lay in the east and the frost was cruel. When the wind was wet and warm, the flaps were turned back, exposing the gay crimson lining, and greatly enhancing its beauty. The waistcoat had been constructed for Hillary Nanspian by his loving wife before she died.