Ixviii. WAREHAM AND LYTCHETT HEATH. 



of " long and short" work, the masonry built of rubble only, the 

 only remaining window, that on the north side of the chancel, 

 being small in dimensions and having its glass face close to the 

 outside these are points justifying the conclusion of a pre- 

 Norman date for the early church." In detail Mr. Blackett 

 called attention to the architectural features of the church, both 

 inside and outside ; and the visitors could appreciate the 

 "impression" of the picturesque little church given in 

 picturesque language by Mr. Lynam in an earlier passage, in 

 which he says *' Standing almost upon the edge of a deep 

 cutting in the road, which bounds its site on the west, backed 

 on the north by well-grown trees ; its small area but high 

 altitude, with its gabled south porch rising as high as the 

 church, its touch of ivy and grey walls and roof, produce a 

 picture not often presented in so small a building. The general 

 effect of the exterior is equal to that of the interior. Its high 

 walls, a north arcade of two bays, a chancel arch flanked by an 

 opening on each side, the remains of post-Reformation texts 

 and earlier fresco painted on the white- washed facings, the 

 barn-like roof, the riven rent in the walls, and the floor of sand, 

 together with a general air of forsaken neglect, give to the 

 place a very extraordinary yet interesting effect." 



Mr. Blackett added the interesting statement that architects 

 have discovered five distinct periods marked by the frescoes. 

 Underfoot was one mass of burials ; for when they wished to 

 bury anybody they used simply to open a grave and push the 

 body in. 



THE WALLS. 



From St. Martin's Mr. Blackett led the large party along the 

 north-west wall, and, calling a halt near the corner, informed 

 them that they were standing upon a portion of the ancient 

 walls. Some people had claimed that they were British works, 

 others that they were Roman, and others again that they were 

 Saxon or Danish. But unfortunately they had never been able 

 to get leave to cut a trench right through the wall with the 



