* * * * *

THE TOPOGRAPHER.

* * * * *

HORSHAM, SUSSEX.

The town of Horsham is pleasantly situated on the liver Arun, in the county of Sussex, about 36 miles S. by W. of London.  It is a borough, and contains the county gaol.  The spring assizes are likewise held here.  Horsham is of considerable antiquity.  It was founded by Horsa, the Saxon, about the year A.D. 450, to employ his soldiers while he was enslaved by the captivating chains of a lovely country girl, the daughter of a woodman in the forest.  The town was named after himself, Horsa, and the Saxon word Ham, signifying a home.  Horsa was killed in Kent, in a battle fought between the Britons and the Saxons, and was buried at Horsted, named also after him, Horsa, and Sted, signifying a place.  The foundation of the church is uncertain; but it can be traced as far back as the reign of Henry I. A.D. 1100.  The oldest tombstone in the church is to the memory of Robert Hurst, of Hurst Hill, in this county, who died 1483.[1] The church is at the southern extremity of the town, at the foot of Denne, or Dane Hill, on the summit of which is an artificial mound, raised by the Danes after the death of Guthrum, their chief, to defend themselves from Alfred the Great.  The top of this mound commands an extensive view, a most prominent feature of which is a part of the forest of St. Leonard, called Mike Mills’ Race, a beautiful avenue, a mile and a quarter long, containing about 15,000 full-grown trees.  There is a legend connected with this “race,” viz. that this part of Horsham Forest was the haunt of Mike Mills, a noted smuggler, whom his Satanic Majesty had often endeavoured to carry off in vain.  He therefore determined on attacking him in his strong hold; and accordingly met Mike one night accompanied by other more congenial spirits, when old Nick challenged Mike as his property.  Mike, nothing daunted, set down his tubs, took advantage of Nick’s old age, and challenged him to a race.  “If you can catch me, Nick, before I get to the end of the avenue, you shall have me; if not, you’ll have nothing more to do with me.”—­“Agreed,” says Nick.  Away ran Mike—­away ran Nick.  Nick being of too hot a temperament was soon knocked up, and Mike won the race by half a mile; from which circumstance the place was named, and Mike Mills rendered immortal.

W. BERGER.

    [1] The steeple of the church, which is 150 feet high, is shingled,
        which is the prevailing mode of the village churches in Sussex. 
        It has also one of the finest windows in Sussex.

* * * * *

THE SELECTOR, AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS

* * * * *

DEATH OF CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON AT SOCCATOO.