40 PAPERS, ETC. 



porch has a dejiressed four centred arch, and over it is a 

 uiche, with a sort of Coronet canopy, which, no doubt, con- 

 tained the figure of the Saint of the dedicatlon. 



At the west end of the nave is a lofty gallery, arranged, 

 as well as may be, to represent a scene at the back of the 

 stage of a theatre, and this blocks up one of the boldest 

 features in the Church, the tower arch, which opens into 

 the tower, and, if open, would give a view of a fine Per- 

 pendicular western window. The mouldings of the arch 

 are very bold, and, as near as can be ascertained, continuous. 



The ground floor of the tower is covered with staircase to 

 the gallery, clock case, and closet for nibbish of all descrip- 

 tions, and gives the usual e%'idence of the moral evtl of 

 blocking off any part of the Church, to say nothing of the 

 destruction of all proportion. The north aisle is fiUed with 

 hideous high pews in which, at least one thii-d of the ac- 

 commodation which might be obtalned for worshippers is 

 lost, and we have some valuable sjjecimens of these 

 enormities in the Church, in the south aisle, as well as 

 at the west-end of the nave.* The roofs also sadly 

 disfigure the Church, being all of them plastered and 

 white-washed. Though the nave and south aisle show 

 the longitudinal and transverse ribs of the timber roof, but 

 these are covered with blue paint. The roofs themselves 

 appear to be of the cradle kind, so common in these parts. 

 In the nave roof are four dormer windows of modern data, 

 which are not only a sad desight, but are a great evil in 



* A faculty has been obtained, since this account was drawn up, in 

 accordance with the resolution of vestry, for the removal of all these 

 pews, and the funds are alone wanting for carrying it into effect Any 

 contributions towards this good work, forwarded to the vicar, will be 

 very thankfully reeeiv 3d. The pews in the chancel have been removed 

 since the appropriation of the south chancel aisle to the Hestercombe 

 property. 



