think the author of the article on " County Feeling"
in the Spectator of June 10th is not quite accurate in saying that the three parishes of Heydon, Great Chishall, and Little Chishall, transferred from Essex into Cambridgeshire, are now completely merged in the latter county. They are so merged for County Council purposes, but for Parliamentary purposes they are still in Essex, with the result that if a native of one of these villages is asked what his county is, he is decidedly puzzled what answer to make. I fancy, however, they still think of themselves as Essex men rather than Cambridgeshire. But whether the county feeling is strong among them or not, a curious instance of their strong parochial feeling was brought to my notice recently. An able-bodied labourer from Chishall appeared before the Royston Guardians and applied for relief on the ground that he could not get any work to do in his own parish. It was pointed out to him that at any rate there was plenty of work to be had in neighbouring parishes. But he stoutly asserted that it was the duty of the Guardians to find him work in his own parish, and that he could not be expected to look for work out of his parish, though ready and willing to do any work in his parish. There was evidently still clinging to him the old belief that he was bound to the soil, and that in return the parish was bound to find him employment.—I am, Sir,
&c., A. R. FORDHAM. Melbourn Bury, Royston.
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