By C. H. Talbot. 343 



preservation, but more ' remain in the walls. No Norman work 

 remains in situ. 



The oldest part of the existing building consists of the walls and 

 windows of the north transept. Until 1861 that transept retained 

 its original proportions, and probably the roof which had a rough 

 cambered tie-beam, was original, but as it was ceiled and white- 

 washed, no distinctive features were apparent. 



In 1861 the Church underwent the process conventionally called 

 restoration, which was carried out ^dth a want of judgment not 

 uncommon, but was not so destructive in this, as in some cases. 

 However, one great mistake ^ was made, in the raising of the 

 transepts. The great Perpendictdar transept arches had evidently 

 been prepared with the intention of re-building the transepts, but 

 had a beam across the springing and, above it, were closed with 

 lath and plaster, and, no doubt, had never been permanently open. 

 Some of the mouldings of the north transept arch appeared ex- 

 ternally, above the old roof of the transept. In order to open =« 



bright, when found, but the greater part of the painting has since faded. There 

 are also stones of a Norman hood-moulding. In cutting through the east wall 

 of the south transept, near the ground, for a ventilation opening, a mutilated 

 Norman cap was found. There are also two fragments, apparently of a Norman 

 gable cross, in which are two very remarkable clean cut sockets, the only ex- 

 planation of which, that I can think of, is that they were intended as receptacles 

 for relics, for the supposed protection of the building. 



' Two pillar stones remain, over the great arch of the south transept. 

 ' I am thankful that I have no share in the responsibility for that mistake. 

 I was absent from Lacock at the time, and, in any case, should probably have 

 had very little voice in the matter. 



*"When it was too late, those of the parishioners who understood the subject 

 saw the mistake that had been made. If a model of the intended alteration 

 had been first made, they might probably have seen it in time. I was told 

 that the architect did not desire to open these arches. Apparently he was 

 induced, against his better judgment, to undertake the solution of a not 

 particularly easy problem, and he cannot be congratulated on the result. Un- 

 fortunately, also, a state of things has been produced which will require to 

 be rectified, in the future. The then owner of Lackham offered, either to 

 give a certain sum to the restoration fund, or to restore the south transept 

 at his own expense. Unwisely, as I think, the second alternative was accepted, 

 and he put a new roof, according to his own ideas, and differing from that 

 of the north transept. 

 VOL. XXVm. NO. LXXXV. 2 B 



