I believe there is not a man living in his native village, be it ever so small, but delighteth to learn something of its history. With what eagerness will the young listen to their elders whilst they relate to them an account of some noted character who lived in the place in the past, or to the history of an old village church, hall, or castle, with which they are familiar. To see an old man thus talking to the young is a most pleasant sight. On the one hand is the old man, conscious that he has something to relate which will greatly delight his hearers, and fired with a subject which concerns all present, telling his tale with his whole heart ; on the other hand are the listeners hanging on his words with almost breathless attention, who get the story so firmly impressed on their memories that it can never be eradicated. In years to come the same story will, in many instances, be told by those same listeners to their children. Thus, unwritten history, which is called tradition, is handed down from generation to generation.

It is to satisfy this craving desire after history, that I have undertaken to write the "Reminiscences of Mosbrough," in the parish of Eckington, Derbyshire, during the present century, for the benefit of my fellow villagers. I feel myself not very competent for the task, but though it is imperfectly done, I doubt not it will be eagerly perused. I have endeavoured to do my work so as not to offend any reader. Many spicy bits have been omitted which would have been very amusing to many people, but would probably have been offensive to families with whom they are connected. All great blemishes of character have been excluded. I have endeavored to follow that good old maxim which says: "Tread lightly on the graves of the departed."

I am very thankful to Mr. John Rose, Mr. Joseph French, Mr. William Lomas, and other kind friends for the information they have most kindly given me.

As 1 have not been able, in many instances, to give exact dates, I have divided my subject into three periods.

GEORGE FOSTER.