250 



Mr. PETRIE'S Inquiry into the Origin and 



Thus again in the diagonally-knotched band or fillet, which encircles the 

 head of the central figure, and which seems to be the base of a low mitre, of which 

 the upper portion is obliterated, we find an ornament very similar to that on 

 a mitre represented on a sculptured figure of St. Leger, in bas-relief, given by 

 Montfaucon, in his Man. Franqoise, torn. i. p. 347, and which that learned anti- 

 quary considers to be a work of the close of the seventh century. 



If then to the evidences, which this interesting piece of sculpture affords in 

 favour of the early antiquity of this little church, be added the Romanesque 

 character of the ornaments, and the great improbability that a structure of 

 this ornamental character would have been erected during that calamitous pe- 

 riod when Glendalough was exposed to the frequent devastations of the North- 

 men, it will appear highly probable that it was erected either previously to the 

 Danish irruptions, or, at least, during that period of repose already referred to, 

 which intervened between the years 886 and 977- 



I have next to notice the curious fragments of ornamented architecture, 

 which were formerly to be seen in the 

 chancel of the cathedral, but of which 

 there is now scarcely a vestige remaining. 

 As in the preceding instance, however, 

 through the drawings made for Colonel 

 Burton Conyngham, now in my possession, 

 aided by sketches made by myself a few 

 years since, I am enabled to preserve a 

 tolerable memorial of these interesting 

 features. These features are confined 

 solely to the interior of the east window 

 of the chancel, of which a geometrical 

 drawing is given in a preceding page, 

 and a sculptured fascia, or frieze, con- 

 nected with it on either side. 



Of the ornaments on the exterior face of this window, I have unfortunately 

 no memorial, as they were wholly effaced previously to the visit of Colonel 

 Conyngham's artists in 1779- The several features on its interior face will be 

 more distinctly seen in the annexed engravings of its details ; of which the two 



