In those times just previous to the construction of railways, when the lord of the manor came down after Parliament rose, there used to be a competition to get hold of his coachman.

So few agricultural people travelled, and news came so slowly and in such distorted fashion, that the coachman became a great authority.

Such a brook as this was then often a serious obstacle.
There was still an old punt, seldom used, to be found in a rickyard of Hilary's, close by which was an extensive pond.

The punt was thatched over with flags from the stream.

The moorhens were fond of this pond because it was surrounded with a great quantity of rushes; they were numerous all up the brook.