KXCURSION. 25 



very splendid example of it at Martock. The most curious 

 alteratlon made in Perpendicular times was found in the 

 chancel, whicli was rebullt, and, for some cause or other, 

 made much narrower than the old chancel. Thls was 

 shewn by the width of the chancel-arch, a part of which 

 could be Seen outside. It was, however, a very nice 

 chancel, and the east window was a good specimen of the 

 local Perpendicular. The appearance of it was spoiled by 

 the blue glass placed around the mullions and tracery ; but 

 if the eyes were fixed upon the tracery, it would be seen 

 that it was a beautiful example of the Perpendicular period, 

 and also had a form that was not often met with except in 

 Somerset, where there was one complete pattern, filled in 

 with another pattern. The roof of the chancel seemed to 

 be a plaster Imitation of the wooden roof of the nave. 

 There appeared to have been also a great deal done in the 

 seventeenth Century, including the very fine pulpit. There 

 was, he understood, a new west window — what kind of one 

 there formerly was he could not say. Mr. Pinney re- 

 marked that the window was very bad before. !Mr. Parker 

 then called attention to the tie-beams, which formed a 

 highly ornamental portion of the roof These beams were 

 now, as much as possible, done away with, because the 

 builders did not know how to make them ornamental ; but 

 in this case they had succeeded in making them a highly 

 attractive feature of the church. Mr. Pinney said there 

 was a tradition that the roof was brought from Muchelney 

 Abbey. Mr. Freeman said there were traditions of the 

 same kind in many places, and there was not much reliance 

 to be placed on them. Mr. Parker pointed out that the 

 carved oak did not form the actual roof, but was an orna- 

 mental ceillng. The notion that it was necessary to shew 

 the inside of the slate or tile was altogether modern ; and 

 rOL. IX., 1859, PART I. d 



