165 



admiration to the attention paid to the ruins, and of gratitude for the free per- 

 mission to inspect them. 



The abbey is built altogether of the New Eed Sandstone, a kind of stone 

 very liable to decay from moisture. It has suffered very much from the ram and 

 rainspouts in many places. At this time the chapter-honse xs reeking with damp; 

 its roof is dropping water, and its pillars are covered with green alg^, from the 

 water so constantly running down them. On visiting the floor above the chapter- 

 house, where the ancient dormitories are supposed to have been placed, it was 

 found carefully paved with brick, to preserve the chapter-house roof ; but the bricks 

 are laid so low and so flat that there is no escape for the rain-water which faUs 

 upon its surface, and thus it has to soak its way through the roof, which in the 

 course of a very few years, it wUl inevitably cause to fall in. If the br.ck flooring 

 could be raised a few inches along the centre, and the bricks be carefully laid in 

 cement ^^•ith a sufficient fall for the rain-water to run off at once, and a proper 

 escape made for it, the chapter-house would soon become dry, and yet rem^^^^ior 

 many generations, to delight its visitors, as it has on this occasion delighted 

 the members of the Woolhope Club. 



Time was getting on, and the way was now taken for the Bridge Inn. The 

 Severn is here crossed by an iron bridge which is by no means picturesque, and 

 looks more efficient than it seems to be thought, to judge by the notices on the 

 buttress at either end. 



The time for dinner had not yet arrived, so the ordinary business of the 

 CTub was transacted; three new members were unanimously elected ; and the 

 following subjects of interest brought forward. 



THE HEKEKORD ROMAN ALTAK, LOST AND FOUND. 



The Roman altar which has been so much inquired for by archaeologists of 

 late years, in their visits to Hereford, and inquired for in vain, has at length been 

 found. Mr. J. T. Owen Fowler made the happy discovery on the premises of the 

 old Museum, on the Castle Green, where it has long been concealed by a luxuriant 

 growth of ivy and other creeping plants. It has now been removed to the Free 

 Library and Museum, and vnll take an honoured position on the landing of the 

 staircase. 



Mr. FowLEE gave the following description to the members of the Club, of 

 this very interesting relic of antiquity. 



This celebrated Roman altar is a monoUth, and is stiU in good preservation. 

 Its measurements are as follows :— P^ j^ 



Height ^ ^* 



Width at capital ... •■• •■• ••■ '- 



Ditto at pedestal ... ■•• ••• ••• ^ ^ 



1 4 

 Ditto at centre 



Depth at top and bottom ... •■• ••• ^ ^ 



Ditto at centre... ... — ••• ■•• ^ ^^ 



