SOME LOCAL STONE MARKS. 171 



the outside for length and width, and on the inside for depth. 

 As an illustration, a "sink" superficially 3ft. Sin. by 1ft. 4in. and 

 4in. in depth would be reckoned as of 6 peck dimensions. Pui'- 

 beck " curb " and " steps " are sold liy the foot run and are not 

 marked. They are measured with a line or cord which, when new, 

 contains about 25ft., but as it shrinks or stretches with wet or dry 

 ■\veather, it is usually measured or tested every time it is used. It 

 might at tiures be many inches or even a foot longer or shorter 

 than it should be, thus introducing serious errors in commercial 

 transactions. The rule used for this testing, as well as for 

 measuring all kinds of stone as to breadth and depth at or from the 

 quarries, is a piece of wood 24ins. long, Ifins. Avide, and fin. thick. 

 It is marked at every inch with a cut or notch, and at every Sins, 

 with holes burnt in — in much the same way in fact as the iron rule 

 in use at Portland, except that the middle mark is not F but (39). 



This rule is made by the mason or quarrier, and is called the 

 " stick of inches " (40). Mr. W. M. Hardy informs me that it 

 is als3 called a " tuvvot," i.e., two foot, and that it has an evil 

 reputation owing to its being used across the backs of loitering 

 boys " gone too long after father's dinner, or stopping about when 

 sent after the donkey." 



Purbeck marble being a more valuable commodity is sold at per 

 foot cube or per ton. It is marked as the stone is, but, owing to 

 its greater density, only 12 cubic feet would go to the ton. 

 Purbeck stone is reckoned at 14 cubic feet per ton. The trade in 

 this favourite marble, unsurpassed for quiet etfectiveness, dates 

 back to very early times ; many, if not most, of our Abbey 

 Churches and Cathedrals containing abundance of it. 



Finally, I am imlebted to ]\Ir. Hardy for rubl)ings of marks 

 found on certain ancient stones when restoring Studland Church. 

 They apparently have nothing to with measurement, but are mason's 

 marks indicating the position the particular stone was to occupy in 

 the building. This is their figure (3), and they are placed on tlic 

 bottom of the stone. Similar marks have also been observed at 

 Wimborne Minster and on stones of 17th century date elsewhere. 



