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Chapter X |
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A VISIT TO LEWES
Lewes is the county town of Sussex. It lies chiefly on the right bank of the small river Ouse, on the slope of a chalk hill, one of the glorious South Downs, and others of that famous range are raised around it so as to shelter it, on almost every side.
It principally consists of one street—the High Street—winding from St. Anne's Church, east, to the foot of Cliffe Hill, west, about three-quarters of a mile, where it throws out two branches. One, named South Street, leads to Glynde, Firle, Alfriston and Eastbourne; the other, Mailing Street, to Uckfield, East Grinstead and so to London.
" Proud Lewes and poor Brighthelmstone " is a proverb that no longer holds good, but from another old saying it would seem that Lewes formerly bore no enviable character. We are told:
" Lewes skin a rat, for its hide and fat ! " 163 |
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