180 THE STORY OF THE BETTISCOMBE SKULL. 



but, if I remember rightly, the painted panelling was apparently of 110 older 

 date than such restoration. Up this stair-case we were courteously conducted, 

 and on arriving at a small door on the top landing opening on to the attic 

 stairs a candle was lighted, and we prepared to make the ascent to the darker 

 regions above, where the skull was supposed to dwell. To my surprise I 

 found, on the door being opened, from one of the steps " the skull sat grinning 

 at us," as related by Miss Garnett. On inquiry, I learnt that the skull had been 

 placed there in order to save going up to the attic where it formerly rested, 

 which, owing to the ruinous condition of the timbers, was a journey of no 

 inconsiderable danger. However, the present situation not being at all in 

 character with the genius loci, and the good " woman of the house " being 

 besides somewhat fearful of its being carried off by one of the dogs from where 

 it stood, I had little difficulty in obtaining her permission to reinstate the skull 

 in its former place. So, taking it in my hands, I carefully picked my way by 

 the aid of the lighted candle, followed by my companions, over the crazy and 

 broken floor to where, on a niche by the side of the huge chimney -breast, lay a 

 brick the old shrine of the skull upon which I reverently placed it ; and there 

 I had the satisfaction of seeing it on more than one visit in later years. Upon 

 one of these subsequent visits I, with others, made a careful examination of the 

 skull ; and we were inclined to doubt whether it was that of a negro at all, 

 but as the generally received opinion is that it is I will say no more upon that 

 point. The skull was by no means a large one ; the forehead certainly was low 

 but not receding. The upper half of the cranium only was preserved, the lower 

 jaw being missing ; its length was 7Jins., and in depth to roof of mouth Sins, 

 (full). From a phrenological point of view the " bumps " at the base were 

 highly developed. If I remember rightly, there were no teeth left in the jaw 

 when I saw it. 



So much for the skull itself. Its surroundings were certainly of a character 

 to add to the mystery of its existence there. The dark attic extended over the 

 entire area of the house ; the floor was in a very unsound and unsafe condition, 

 and evidently, from its appearance, had long been the home of bats, owls, and 

 other " fearful fowl," for which easy access was afforded by the many openings 

 in the ancient, massive, and dilapidated stone-tiled roof ; to say nothing of a 

 nest of young birds I myself discovered close to the skull's resting-place. 

 Close to the chimney-breast above-mentioned is a rectangular hole or shaft in 

 the floor, of about 3ft. by 4ft. 6in., and of considerable depth, extending 

 to the bottom of the floor below, where the back of a bed -room cupboard 

 touches. At first I thought that this cupboard was an old-fashioned " powder- 

 closet," but after careful examination I was inclined to think that it might 

 have had some connection with the aforesaid shaft, which may well have been 

 intended for and used as a " priest's hole " or hiding-place in the earlier and 

 more troublous times that might have fallen upon Bettiscombe, as upon so 

 many other places in the West of England. This conjecture is borne out 

 by the fact that one end of the vast attic is divided off by a lath-and-plaster 



