Page:A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.djvu/177

158 this appointment was due to the representations, in her favour, of Miss Annie Dixon, the artist (herself a native of Horncastle, mentioned elsewhere), who was at that time a grata persona with the royal family.

Mr. John Cussons, son of the late Mr. John Cussons, Baker, in the Bull Ring, and nephew of the late Mr. David Cussons, Printer and Bookseller, High Street, Horncastle, ran away before his apprenticeship had expired, and went to America, settling in the Confederate States. He there espoused the Confederate cause against the Federals, and took a leading part in the civil war, commanding Confederate forces in several important engagements. Since that time he has visited Horncastle, and has published a history of his military operations. He now resides on his own property, at Forest Lodge, Glen Allen, Virginia. His last publication, in 1908, is Jack Sterry, the Jessie Scout. He is also the author of A Glance at Current History, The Passage of the Thoroughfare Gap, Some Modern Pillars of State, Principles of Cryptiography, Assimilating the Indian, &c.

Henry Allison, son of Mr. Allison, Miller, formerly residing in West Street, married a daughter of Mr. David Cussons, and leaving the town about 1848, settled in Hull, where he established a large business as paper manufacturer. He was elected Mayor of Hull; and died some years ago, leaving a widow, who resides in a large mansion, which he built on the outskirts of the town, Marlborough House, Anlaby Road. The business, with several branches, is still carried on by members of his family.

John Brown, the "Poet Laureate" of Horncastle, has already been mentioned; he is chiefly known by the volume ''Literæ. Laureatæ'' published in 1890, dedicated to Lord Tennyson, by permission, and containing most of his poetical productions. These are remarkable for his knowledge of Lincolnshire dialect and local folk-lore. The volume was published, after his death, on behalf of his widow.

He was born in the first workhouse, adjoining St. Mary's churchyard, his parents being in charge of that institution. Being first apprenticed to a cabinet maker, Mr. J. Williams, when only just "in his teens," he ran away to Hull, and took service on a vessel, the Margaret, bound for Cronstadt. His first voyage, however, was sufficient to disgust him with marine life. When about 15 he found employment with a theatrical scene painter from London, who settled in Horncastle. He afterwards went to London to learn his trade as a house decorator. He married in 1833 a Miss Gainsborough, of Alford. In 1838 he went to Lincoln, and for some years carried on his trade there. In 1848 he returned to Horncastle, and still carrying on his trade, became a member of a literary coterie, who used to hold meetings in the coffee room of the Bull Hotel. In 1860 he bought a house on the Louth Road, which he opened as the Globe Inn, and which became the resort of his literary friends. Literature, however, did not conduce to business. In 1872 his health failing, and his savings