109 



likely the same hand found employ on similar works in the neigh- 

 bourhood. There is a monument, for instance, on the north-east 

 end of the Chapman aisle in the Abbey, in memory of R, Chapman, 

 1572, and Wm. Chapman, 1627, -which bears in many of its details 

 a very close resemblance. One also in Kelston Churchyard, and 

 another in Stanton Prior Church have points of similarity. There 

 is some likeness also to portions of St. Catherine's Court porch. 

 The second reason which renders the monument of interest is that 

 in the 6th, 7th, and 8th lines of the inscription it is said, 

 " A sailing fayth shee had, and Innocence, 

 And therefore here with Innocents would lye," 

 That with ym shee might live eternally," 

 referring apparently to the burial of idiots in the Chapel yard ; so 

 that, during that one hundred years (156U — 1660), the object of 

 the Hospital had, it would seem, been changed from lepers to idiots. 

 The Register of Burials in Chapel and yard was intended to be 

 kept in the books at Old Widcombe Church, but there have been, 

 I fear, many omissions, the above among the number. 



In 1693 one George Bradford demised lands as Master, in the 

 name of the " co-bretheren and co-sisters" (the idiots ?). 



In 1723 we have a drawing of the Chapel by Stukely. This 

 was in the Mastership of David Thomas.* 



In 1757 there is a print from a painting by T. Robins. This 

 was in the Mastership of Dr. James Thomas. 



In 1761 the Rev. D. Taylor repaired the Chapel, and rebuilt the 

 Hospital, as appears by inscriptions both on the exterior and in the 

 interior. He, I imagine, put the head to the tower, t 



* Stukeley's Itinerary, Curiosum, p. 138. 

 t "The Chapel belonging to St. M. Magdalene's Hospital, in the parish of. 

 Lyncomb and Widcomb, near this city, having been out of repair for many 

 years, and no service performed therein, it is now repaired and fitted up in a 

 very decent manner, and Divine Service was performed in it last Sunday, to 

 the great satisfaction of the parishioners; As soon as the Master of the 

 Chapel came in there was sung an anthem taken out of the 84th Psalm, then 

 Prayers were read by the Eev. Mr. Eoberts, after which there was an excel- 

 lent sermon preached on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Duel Taylor, Rector of 

 this city, from the 15th chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, ver. 6, 

 wherein he exhorted his hearers to stedfastness and perseverance in the com- 



