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accessories of Divine Worship are of such an unworthy character 
and so incongruous to such a magnificent and noble structure 
that a change is earnestly to be desired in the present regime. 
On leaving the Abbey the party viewed the Market Cross, an 
elegant structure of rare architectural interest, octagonal in form 
with flying buttresses supporting a lantern, and groined. The 
Historian, Leland, states that it was built by the inhabitants as 
a shelter in the reign of Henry VII., and it would be advisable 
for the townsfolk to restore, without delay, such a fair piece of 
work ere it fall into dilapidation. 
Proceeding down the hill to the South of the town, a visit was 
paid to the Corporation Almshouse, and Manor Court. This was 
the residence of John Stumpe, the exceeding rich clothier, who 
entertained King Henry VIII. herein, purchased what remained 
of the Abbey buildings on the dissolution, and presented the 
town with the Nave for a parish Church. It was endowed later 
on by another benefactor as an almshouse for four old men, and 
the same number of old women, and a quaint inscription is fixed 
in a walled up arch in the facade, in which a contracted form 
“ Burr” is twice used for Borough. The hall is still used for the 
the Courts Baron and customary of Lady Northwick, lady of the 
Manor, and several chests therein contained many most interest- 
ing title deeds and manorial records, but were not open to the 
Club’s inspection. 
Leaving this interesting Relique of Ancient Malmesbury, the 
Club was hospitably invited by J. C. S. Jennings, esq., F.R.C.S., 
to visit his residence, a time-worn Elizabethan house, built on the 
two-aisled crypt to the N.E. of the Abbey Church, which, in old 
days formed the foundation of the Mitred Abbot’s residence. The 
talented owner, the author of a Monograph on the History of 
Ancient Malmesbury, conducted the Club over the interesting 
portions of his house, with much old oak panelling (the drawing 
room mantel being of very inartistic execution), and the subter- 
ranean crypt, which has now no groining and but few of its 
