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required in the process of tamping, and niceties of calculation as to the position of 

 the charge with the object of producing a result in the line of least resistance, all 

 their desiderata are considerably reduced, which enables those experienced in 

 blasting operations to sum up the advantages of gelatine-dynamite in one of great 

 importance in these days of economy, viz., greater results with a diminution of 

 labour. 



The Rev. W. Bamford now assuming charge of the party, conducted it up 

 the Yat Hill to Old Radnor Church, distant about half a mile, commandingly 

 situated upon a rocky spur of Old Radnor Hill, and from its churchyard affording 

 extensive views of the fertile valley of Radnor with New Radnor and the Radnor 

 Forest in the background. Old Radnor Church, dedicated to St. Stephen, is 

 among the most interesting edifices in the Diocese of Hereford. It has a well- 

 built battlemented old tower at the west-end with six bells and a clock. The 

 stone porch on the south side contains the remains of a stoup, also the upper 

 portion of the ancient oak door, a central trefoil surrounded by quatre-foils. 

 The nave is of four bays, 22 feet broad, south aisle 16 feet, and north aisle 10 feet, 

 with chancel and aisle of same width, the whole having flat oak roofs ornamented 

 with innumerable bosses and shields, said to be those of the ancient Lords of 

 Radnor ; the beams in the north aisle being specially massive, all being boarded 

 over and covered with lead outside. The pillars are lofty, being octagon, with 

 plain moulded caps and bases, pointed arches. There is a recess in the west wall 

 with a atone seat, said to be a confessional, but this is very doubtful. A light 

 carved oak screen (partly old or renewed in present century), runs across the whole 

 Church, with projecting fan tracery on either sule, terminating with a flowing 

 pattern representing grapes and foliage, the modern design being mechanical and 

 monotonous, but having a generally rich effect. In the chancel, four old .stall desks 

 remain, two of them facing eastward ; an old book chain remains on the north 

 desk. The four arches in the chancel are also filled with open carved screens. 

 The very curious organ case fills (me of the northern archways ; it has richly 

 carved linen panels on its front and sides ; it has been judiciously repaired, and 

 the interior well stored with a very sweet selection of 15 stops, by Walker, the 

 London builder, in 1872. There is no doubt that the organ dates from the period 

 of Henry VIII., and it is admitted to be the best and most complete example of 

 an ancient organ remaining in England. The east window of five lights is filled 

 with modern glass — five scenes in the life of our Lord, and five relating to 

 St. Stephen, the gift of Miss Miles in 1882. In the vestry window there is a 

 XV. Century representation of St. Catherine. There are Piscinas and aumbries 

 in several parts of the Church, especially one on the south side of the altar four 

 feet above the pavement, proving that the original altar must have been on a 

 higher level than at present. Very interesting encaustic tiles are preserved 

 in the south aisle, the vestry, and north-west corner of aisle. A fine early 

 incised stone, with foliated end.s to cross, is laid in the centre of the nave under 

 the screen. An early arched tomb with a flat slab is placed in the north wall 

 behind the organ. There are several good mural tablets aiound the Church, also 

 three hatchments. The late Sir G. Coruewall Lewis is buried in the south ai^le, 



