18 THIRD ANNUAL MEETING. 
spring. The opinion of the Archaeological Institute of 
Great Britain and Ireland, to which it was submitted, was, 
that it probably contained the most valued relic possessed 
by the Priory—probably some of the blood of Thomas 
ä Becket; and that the monks, foreseeing the desecration 
of their conventual church, had deposited it in the parish 
church of Kewstoke, hoping by that means to preserve 
from profanation a relique, in their eyes of the greatest 
sanctity, being no less than the blood of their murdered 
patron, St. Thomas of Canterbury.” 
From the Priory, the excursionists proceeded through a 
richly diversified country to the ancient and beautiful Church 
of Banwell, whose bells rung out a merry peal by way of 
welcome. Here in proximity to the lofty and handsome 
tower of the church, the company listened to an able dis- 
quisition on its architectural character and merits, from 
Mr. Freeman. They then visited the interior, where that 
gentleman continued his remarks. 
On leaving the church, the party proceeded to the de- 
lightfully situated residence of CHANCELLOR LAw, where a 
collation had been munificently and with great elegance 
laid out, open to an unlimited number of guests, consisting 
of the members of the society and their friends. The beau- 
tiful grounds were thrown open to the visitors; and many 
of the more adventurous descended into the celebrated 
stalactite caves, which had been lighted up for the occasion. 
The tables having been cleared, the company assembled 
round Mr. QUEKETT, to hear his paper on the structure 
and formation of Pearl, which the talent of the author and 
his eminent qualifications as a lecturer, rendered so inter- 
esting, that he was compelled a week or two afterwards, 
to yield to the pressing solicitations of the Committee, to 
repeat his leeture at the Society’s Museum, at Taunton, 
to the great enjoyment of a numerous assembly of hearers. 
