VOL. XV. (3) EXCURSION—HEREFORD 199 
monuments, notably St. Thomas of Cantilupe’s shrine in the north 
transept, and Bishop Aquablanca’s tomb. 
The verger was perhaps happiest in his description of the famous 
“«Mappa Mundi,” drawn by Richard de Bello, of Lincoln, in the 
thirteenth century. It is a remarkable production, and has been 
made the subject of a learned treatise by the Rev. W. L. Bevan and 
Rev. H. W. Philpott, containing several pictorial reproductions. The 
author of the map, like his contemporaries, started with the assump- 
tion that the earth is flat, and as a natural consequence his study in 
geography, whilst extremely ingenious, and, as the verger made clear, 
distinctly humorous, possesses no more value for the modern student 
than the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis can be said to 
enlighten us on the creation of the world, and the creatures by which it 
is inhabited. The reverend gentlemen, who have spent considerable 
time in writing up this strange production, say :—* Viewed strictly in 
a geographical aspect, as a representation of the world at the time of 
its execution, the map would not repay anyone for the time spent in its 
study. Viewed, on the other hand, as a literary monument, on which 
is registered the position of learning towards the close of the 13th 
century, the map will be found worthy of examination.” Making 
Jerusalem as his centre, the artist proceeded to give his conception of 
the land-surface, with the ocean surrounding the known world. In 
this way he imagines an earth-island, but of course his knowledge of 
the Bible led him to emphasise the Red Sea and the Mediterranean 
Sea, and he has been careful to trace the wanderings of the Children 
of Israel with mathematical exactitude. The east is placed at the head, 
the Terrestrial Paradise occupying the place of honour at the extreme 
top. We have here a striking example of the limitations of human 
knowledge in medizval times, but nevertheless it is an evidence of 
one man’s desire to play the part of instructor, and so fulfill his destiny 
to the best of his ability. A modern schoolboy would draw a more 
correct map of the British Isles than did old Richard de Bello, but 
that is because knowledge is progressive. The world is not flat, but 
holding such a belief, it is only natural that the Lincoln cartographer 
should produce a map which is highly valued by antiquarians. 
Having inspected the crypt, and admired the brasses and numer- 
ous recumbent effigies of past Bishops of Hereford—(the verger made 
the remark: ‘Bishops are common in Hereford; we have them by 
the dozen”)—the party passed to the Public Library and Museum, and 
here Mr Moore drew attention to the chief objects of interest. There 
is a fine collection of birds and Lepidoptera, and specimens from the 
moraine were eagerly scrutinised. Altogether, the excursion proved 
most instructive, and a fitting finale to a summer of useful and enjoy- 
able work. 
S. J. Coley and J. G. Wenden were elected Members. 
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