121 



saying how glad he was to see us, we walked to Midsomer Norton 

 village and looked at the church, which has nothing much worthy of 

 note except a stone statue of Charles II. on the tower, and thence to 

 the station leaving by 2.10. 



Some more detailed notes supplied by Father Wright are 

 worthy of being recorded. 



The community are descendants of the old monks of Westminster. 

 After the Eeformation they lived at Douay, in France, until driven 

 out by the French Eevolutioa, when they returned to their native 

 country, in March, 1795. 



A temporary home was given them at Acton Burnell, in Shropshire, 

 the seat of Sir Edward Smythe, until 1814, when they removed to 

 Downside. A substantial square stone house sufficed for College and 

 Monastery for the first ten years. The following buildings were 

 added at different dates : — 



The old chapel group, built in 1823, from the designs of Goodrich, 

 of Bath, contains the chapel, now used for the students ; the monks* 

 refectory, now the museum ; the " Petre Library," used by boys in the 

 upper forms ; and two large dormitories. 



The College group, built in 1854, from the designs of Charles Hansom, 

 of Clifton, contains the boys' play room, study room, several class 

 rooms, and libraries for the lower forms. Over the study room, the 

 theatre, and the boys' private rooms, etc. 



The refectory group, built in 1876, from designs by Messrs. Dunn 

 and Hansom, contains the boys' dining haU, a fine room, 75ft. by 40ft. 

 and 25ft. high. The walls hung vidth portraits of bishops and priors 

 who have been members of the community. Above it a dormitory, 

 105ft. long by 40ft. broad, containing 38 beds ; also, the Procurator's 

 office, infirmary, etc. 



The " Petre Cloister," built m 1876, to connect the College with the 

 Monastery, 



The Monastery, built in 1876, with additional storey in 1884. 



The party then entered the Monastery by the east door, and visited 

 the following in order : — 



The Monks' Cloister, with fine groined stone roof, and ancient tiled 

 floor, 160ft. long by 14ft. 



The Calefactory, or monks' recreation room, size 36ft. by 20ft., 18ft. 



J 



