Branston - On Saturday afternoon the remains of Mrs Curtois were laid to rest amid every token of sorrowful regard, and now we have to chronicle a further loss, that of the aged rector, the Rev Peregrine Curtois, who passed away on Sunday night. It is not needful to say much of the regret which is felt throughout the parish or of the loss it has sustained; a former parishioner writes of him as 'One of the kindest hearted men who ever lived', and his memory will long remain green in the minds of many and many of his friends and parishioners. Mr Curtois was descended from an old family in this county, a member of which was appointed rector in 1681, and the living has thus been in its possession for the long period of 210 years. Ordained in 1829, Mr Curtois spent ten years as Curate of Walpole St. Peter and nine at Upwell-cum-Welney. Shortly after this he was appointed by his old college of Trinity Hall to the living of Hemingford Grey, near St. Ives. Here he rebuilt the vicarage and erected two schools, where on one occasion he baptised 40 children, a fact of which he was very proud. He was deeply interested in school work, for after coming to Branston in 1868 he soon set to work to build the handsome school in the village, and after that came the restoration and enlargemment of the parish church. For years he also supported the Fen school and was in fact a most liberal contributor towards every public monument. Passing away at the grand age of 85 he retained to the last his keen interest in parish affairs, and by his death a memorable figure is removed from our midst. The internment of the remains of the deceased gentleman took place on Thursday afternoon, and the esteem in which the venerable rector was held was proved by the fact that nearly the whole of the villagers who were able attended to take part in or witness the performance of the mournful ceremony. Among those present in addition to members of the mourning family were the Hon. Mrs A. S. Leslie-Melville, Mrs ?, Mrs Marshall, Mrs ?, Mrs Sharp, Mr Arthur H. Leslie-Melville (Lincoln), Mr Eustace Abel Smith (Longhills), Mr C. Brook (Lincoln), the Rev Canon Perry (Waddington, rural dean), Rev H. Dudding (Washingborough), Rev R. S. V. Turner (Potterhanworth), Rev R. Markham Hill (Lincoln), Mr Grimes, Mr H. Mackinder (Mere Hall), Mr John Pears (The Mere), Mr W. Kirton, Mr Wild, Mr Wm. Grimes, Mr Hugh Jackson (Bracebridge Heath); tenants - Mr Appleton, Mr Birchnall, Mr C. S. Dickinson; tradesmen - Mr Pearson, Mr Canham, Mr W. G. Marshall, Mr C. Pearson, Mr Applewhite, Mr Williams, Mr Drayton and Mr Cram; Mr Simmons, Heighington, &c. The service was throughout conducted by the Rev Q. E. Roughton, the curate. Mr Sharp (schoolmaster) played the 'Dead March' in ? on the organ, as the funeral party were entering the church, and Dr Holloways 'Funeral March' at the close of the service in the sacred edifice, which was crowded with sorrowing villagers and visitors from neighbouring parishes. The hymn 'On the resurrection, soul and body meet again' was sung in the church, and the hymn 'There is a blessed home beyond this land of woe' was rendered at the grave. Mr A. S. Leslie-Melville was not able to be present, owing to his being on the continent at the present time. The fact of there being so many families suffering from the influenze epidemic also prevented the attendance of many parishioners of the fen district. Many lovely wreaths were sent, including those from the family and relatives, Mr and Mrs A. S. Leslie-Melville, Miss Emily Leslie-Melville and Mr Arthur Leslie-Melville, Mr Charles and Miss Louisa Leslie-Melville, Rev Q. E. and Mrs Roughton, Rev R. M. and Mrs Hill, Miss Edith and Mr J. Goldsmith Proctor, "Annie and Beryl", Mr and Mrs Charles Scorer, Mr C. S. Dickinson and family, Mr and Mrs H. Peters Wild, Mrs T. S. Herringshaw and Miss Fletcher, the teachers of Branston national school and the members of the choir, the tradesmen of Branston, the rectory servants &c. On the occasion of the funeral of Mrs Curtois on Saturday, wreaths were sent by the family and relations, Mrs A. H. Curtois (of Washingborough Manor), nephews and nieces at Washingborough, Mr and Mrs A. S. Leslie-Melville and the Misses Melville, Miss Leslie-Melville and Mr Arthur Leslie-Melville, Mr Charles Leslie Melville, Rev and Mrs Q. E. Roughton, Rev and Mrs R. M. Hill, Edith and J. Goldsmith Proctor, Mr and Mrs H. Peters Wild, Mr C. S. Dickinson and family, the rectory servants, the teachers of Branston national school and the tradesmen of Branston. The vault, which had been built by Mr ?, was lined with ivy on each of the above occasions. Mr John Canham, of Branston, provided both coffins, and the funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs Mawer and Collingham, of Lincoln.