Thursday, August 9th. 149 
Renaissance work. Here are also two bays of the cloisters of earlier 
date than the others; a window of late fourteenth century work, 
the grave-stone of the foundress, &. The day-room was next 
visited, where the huge stone cistern still remains, used (as Mr. 
Talbot suggests) for storing water from the springs; the chapter- 
house, where are preserved two stone coffins, and the tomb of Ilbert 
de Chaz, 1137, removed hence from Monkton Farleigh Priory ; the 
sacristy with marks of a former division of the eastern portion 
into two chapels, and also the remains of some fine colouring on one 
of the arches. The quadrangle was next visited, the buildings 
around, for stables, bakehouse, &c., having been erected by Sir 
William Sharington; and from thence Mr. Talbot led his visitors 
through a portion of the grounds, past the fishpond with abundance 
of lilies in flower on the surface, to “ the nun’s cauldron,” which is 
placed on a pedestal, having been removed thence from the house 
by an ancestor of the present owner. It is of bell metal, and was 
east at Mechlin in the year 1500 (probably by a bell-founder) ; it 
holds sixty-seven gallons; around it is a Latin inscription stating 
the date and name of maker, and adding “ Praise be to God, and 
glory to Christ.” In answer to an enquiry as to its use, Mr. Talbot 
said he thought it was intended for culinary purposes. The hall 
was then visited—a very fine room with a number of statuettes in 
terra cotta in niches in the walls, and the roof emblazoned with coats 
of arms. The apartments were next visited, and the family portraits, 
tapestry, and other treasures duly admired; amongst the portraits 
was one of Henry VIII., by Holbein, and another of Sir Wilham 
Sharington, to which particular attention was directed. After passing 
through the apartments, the visitors traversed the long gallery under 
the roof, and emerged on the leads, thence proceeding to the turret, 
_ built by Sharington, and containing a fine carved stone table of 
Renaissance work. In the course of his descriptions Mr. Talbot 
_ pointed out the additions and alterations that had been made at 
-yarious dates, especially regretting the destruction of much of the 
_ Renaissance work in the time of George II. 
____ Before leaving the hall, Tuz Bisnop and the Rev. A. C, Surri 
_ thanked Mr. Talbot for his very kind reception and the trouble he ° 
: L 2 
