425 
regard to the coal itself, Mr. Gibbs would no doubt answer any 
question they might like to ask him about its thickness, et cet. 
After these few remarks, those who cared to look closely into 
the beds behind them were surprised at the abundance of fossils, 
indicating the richness of oceanic life which formerly teemed in the 
waters that deposited these shales. 
By the forethought of the Rector, conveyances were in readi- 
ness to take the party to Mitcheldean, some however carrying out 
the programme and walking the two miles. The first object to 
be seen after the curious Old George Hotel was the Church, a 
rather singular structure, with the tower and spire over the south 
porch, and consisting of a central nave, with two north and one 
south aisle. A round font immediately to the left on entering 
was remarkable from the fact that it had evidently been turned 
topsy-turvy, and what was formerly the base roughly hollowed out 
for the water. It was once encircled with figures, probably of 
saints, which had been for some cause or other mutilated, half of 
their bodies having been cut off, and their feet now oddly appear- 
ing in a reversed position beneath an Early English flowing orna- 
ment. The plain Perpendicular piers of the nave were unattrac- 
tive ; as likewise were the windows, with this exception, that the 
head-lights of those injthe north aisle contained some bits of 15th 
century glass of the same date as the windows themselves. 
Remains of an old painting on the west face of the chancel-wall, 
immediately over a modern erection (a very rude loft !) would have 
taken longer time to make out than was allowed, though the princi- © 
pal subject was evidently a Doom picture similar to that in the 
Gloucester Cathedral. 
After partaking of the hospitality of the Rector and his lady, 
a sundial on the lawn, with its salutary mottoes of ques xaigov—1 0, 
horo nulla mora—Pereunt e imputantur —Mispend no time— 
suggested how quickly the precious minutes were flying and the 
necessity of going westwards to overtake the sun, unless a night 
in the forest was desired. The carriages were accordingly filled, 
