The road running west from Poynings at the foot of the Downs would bring us to Fulking where is a memorial fountain to John Ruskin erected by a brewer.  Another two miles along it is Edburton, an unspoilt village under the shadow of Trueleigh Hill; the fine Early English church has a pulpit and altar rails presented by Archbishop Laud and a leaden font of the early twelfth century.  Nine miles north of Brighton by road, and about half-way between the two London highways, either of which may be taken, lies the large village or small town locally called “Hurst” and by the world at large, more romantically, Hurstpierpoint.  The situation, with its wide and beautiful views over the surrounding country from Leith Hill and Blackdown to the ever present line of the Downs on the south, make it one of the pleasantest places in Sussex for a prolonged stay.  St. John’s College is one of the Woodard schools in connexion with Lancing foundation (see page 103); it is a fine building with an imposing chapel.  The church is modern and was designed by Sir Charles Barry.  In the south transept is an effigy of an unknown crusader and another of a knight in the north aisle.  A brass in the chapel commemorates the fact that the martyred Bishop Hannington was born and held a curacy here.  There are a number of memorials to the Campions, local squires and present owners of Danny; one of them runs thus:—­

“Reader, bewail thy country’s loss in the death of Henry Campion.  In his life admire a character most amiable and venerable, of the Friend and Gentleman, and Christian.”

[Illustration:  DANNY.]

Danny is a beautiful specimen of the Elizabethan mansion at its best; it is built under the shadow of Wolstonbury Hill, one of the finest in shape of the outstanding bastions of the Downs, on the top of which is a circular camp with several pits within the vallum.  The twin woods on the slope of the hill are locally known as “Campion’s Eyebrows,” they are well seen in the accompanying sketch.

[Illustration:  HURSTPIERPOINT.]

Hurstpierpoint may also be easily visited from Hassocks Station (2 miles), from which we may also start on the last stage of our return to Lewes.  One mile east of the station is Keymer, a pleasant little place with an uninteresting church which has been practically rebuilt.  Ditchling, a mile further, has a very fine Transitional and Early English church which will repay a visit.  The nave is severely plain in the older style; the chancel shows some untouched and very beautiful workmanship.  The east window is Geometrical, as are several in the nave, others are Decorated and, in the transept, Perpendicular.  Note the old font which was evidently at one time coloured; also the aumbry, piscina and sedile.  The chalk arches are finely worked.  In the village are several old timber houses, including one said to have been inhabited by Anne of Cleves.

A walk of about two miles past Wick Farm or by Westmeston, over half a mile farther, brings the traveller to the summit of this section of the Downs—­Ditchling Beacon (813 feet).  Until more accurate surveys were made this was supposed to be the highest point of the whole range.