Picture On A Hill

Abcut midway befrween Berwick anti! Polegate stations, at a point Where mo ■ide ot the hill isvexy preoipitoua, those 'icho know exactly tbe spot where to look wil) be able to seé frorü the railway carnago vindows u sort of rade imitation of the human form outlined in white. The figure, wh'ioh i.s between 200 aud S00 feet in height, holds a loug staff in eaeh hand. This is "the Loug Man of Wümiugtou," once the center of profoujid veneration aud worship, but eow ruerely au object of interest to the curious. In order to obtain an adequate idea of this great hillside figure, doruiiiating the surroundiug country and appearing to watch as guardián over the little village below, it is desirable to approach it afoot, tramping along the winding lanes, as the pilgriins of old must have tramped wheu they came hither on the occasion of somo gteat religious festival. Seen frorn afar, the figure does not appear to be of remarkable size, but gradually, as one approaches the hill, it assurnes an inipoíiiiK and defiuite shape. Tlie figure, about 240 feet in height, was merely shaped in the turf so as to allow the chair to appear thfough. In the course of time these depressions in the surface became almost imperceptible, and to sucb an extent was the figure neglected that at last it was only possible to rnake out the form at a dislauce wheu the slight hollows were marked by drifted snow or vben tko j obli(jue rays of the rising or setting sun tbrew thein into a deep shadow. In order to preserve the form of the Long Man, and to render it at the same time easily distinguishabJe at a distauce the outline was marked by a single line of white brioks placed closely rogether. The effect has been to produce a sornewhat startling figure, which is plainly visible in fine weather from a great distance. There are in different parts of the country other examples of extremely rude aud early hillside figures, and, although the very f act of their great antiquity renders it unlikely that bistorical or documontary evidence will be forthcoming as to their design or precise purpose, it is very satisfactory to find that an explanation has been found which will at once account for many of their peculiarities. The theory is that these are sacrificial figures. We learn from the writings of Caesar that the Gauls (and the Britons were doubtless inclnded) had figures of vast size, the limbs of whioh, formed of osiers, they filled with living men. The figure was ultimately fired, and the miserable victima perished in the flames. There is a local saying in Sussex, pvobably of great antiquity, in which the Long Man is mentioned in reference to the weather. It runs : When Firle hill and Long Man bas a cap, We at A'ston gets a. drap.