ix 
churchyard crosses of this county, but it does not possess even 
a single member in common with them to indicate that it ever 
was intended as such, or was erected for the purpose to which 
churchyard crosses were dedicated. There is a tradition amongst 
the common people, who have nick-named it the “ bone-house,” 
that it leads by a subterranean passage to the interior of the 
church. ‘The existence of some sort of chamber, communicating 
with the interior of the building, has been partially confirmed 
by the assurance of an old man whom I met there, that some 
years ago he “went down,” and at the bottom found a large 
pumber of bones, and an excavation like a tomb “ which ran some 
distance under ground.” Should this prove to be the case, it 
would illustrate in some degree the ground plan of this mysterious 
building, and would dispose of the idea that the structure was 
ever intended for a cross. Where the excavation led to, and 
what was its purport, are questions for future explorers to decide. 
Mr. Ball says that a tradition exists that a person was drowned 
in a well in the churchyard, that the well was ordered to be 
closed, that persons were forbidden to be buried in the church- 
yard, and that this erection was built over the spot. 
Friar Bacon. 
As an appendage to this note, but unconnected with the sub- 
ject, I beg leave to lay before the meeting a copy of a letter I 
have received from Mrs. Clutterbuck, of St. Mary’s Mill, Chalford, 
in reply tomy enquiries respecting the tradition, that her house 
was formerly tenanted by no less a personage than the famous 
Friar Bacon. 
The statement is to be found in Sir Robert Atkins’s History of 
Gloucestershire, wherein it is related that “ Friar Bacon was born 
at Todgmore Bottom, about a mile from Bisley, and that he was 
educated at St. Mary’s Chapel, now St. Bury Mill, on Stroud 
river; where a room at this day is called Friar Bacon’s study.” 
The historian then goes on to state that “he was a very learned 
person, and wrote eighty books, and for his skill in mathematics 
was reputed a conjuror in those ignorant times,” &e. “He died 
A.D. 1284.” 
Now all authentic English historians agree that Friar Bacon 
was born at Ilchester, in Somersetshire, about a.D. 1214, and that 
he was educated at Oxford, where he took the vows of a Francis- 
- can in a convent possessed by that order at Oxford, and that he 
was buried in the church of the Franciscans about a.p. 1292. 
Nevertheless it is remarkable, that the traditional evidence which 
Mrs. Clutterbuck has obligingly furnished me with, corresponds 
with the statement of Sir Robert Atkins, and therefore will be 
read with interest. 
