134 EXCAVATIONS ON THE SITE OF DALE ABBEY. 



careful to shew the position of the windows — early English 

 lancets, possibly— and steps. The upper story of this range of 

 buildings would contain the Guest House and Prior's Lodging. 



The Gatehouse, which was greatly dilapidated in 1730, stood 

 about 150 yards north-west of the Abbey Church. A vaulted 

 apartment, locally known as the " Gaol," is all that is now left. 



The site of the Abbey has now been handed over again to Earl 

 Stanhope, the Lord of the Manor, who intends to preserve it as 

 opened out by the Society, and erect a building to serve as a 

 museum of the curiosities discovered. The whole area was 

 drained and levelled before our tenancy expired, and a little 

 watchfulness and care will tend to preserve this interesting relic of 

 the past — which tells us such a sad tale of sacrilege and robbery — 

 for many years to come. It is earnestly to be hoped that every 

 precaution will be taken to prevent the precincts of God's House 

 being profaned by picnics and other secular amusements. 



The fac-simile of Dr. Stukeley's plan is taken from a tracing of 

 the original. 



