THE PASSING OF THE SMOCK [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] Sta,—In a kindly notice of my book, How to Enjoy the Countryside (a title criticized, perhaps justly, as both too didactic and too moderate, though unavoidable, as the book is one of a "How to Enjoy Life" series—the real title is printed on the title-page, By Hedge-row Elms, on Hillocks Green), your reviewer cries, "But where, oh, where, do they wear smockfrocks still in England ? If Mr. Woodward knows, let him in mercy say !" Had this appeal been made when the essay touching on smock-frocks was written I could have introduced your reviewer to a much-respected bailiff of this, our royal and ancient, town of Ditchling, who had worn the smock-frock through a long life ; but now it is too late, and all I can do at the moment is to refer your reviewer to the Society of Sussex Downsmen, whose members like to wear the smocks which our field-labourers have discarded. The good old garment may still be bought at an old haberdasher's shop in Lewes ; there are still Sussex women, skilled in smocking, who make the smocks if only for the Downsmen ; and every now and then the smocks still appear at funerals, as at the funeral at Battle of the last of the Earls of Ashburnham, in the spring of last year.—I am, Sir, &c., MARC US WOOD WARD . Ditchling, Sussex.
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