HI 8 THE 1KRIGA T r()N A GE. 



hewed out of timber that grew to the proper curves and were haunched 

 over the tie beams by clasping-loops; this spared weakening the tie- 

 beam with mortices or horn-beams with tenans. 



The massive oak columns ranged on each side of the kitchen were 

 intact, though looking as pilasters to the walls, to which they were 

 linked by the wall-plate at top and by massive carved spanded brack- 

 ets springing from the shaft of ear-columns to the wall- plates. These 

 devices giving stability to the roof by scientific long secret staircase 

 to tower between the walls. 



The contraction of width at one end of the kitchen was now ob- 

 vious to him and it explained the double purpose of the wide valley 

 gutter and also the long stairway to tower concealed between the two 

 walls. 



With 'a lamp Alton examined the roof from the upper portions to 

 the ridge-plates and found that every rafter top was recessed slightly 

 into the ridge-plate, as each one also was at the wall-plates and fixed 

 with oak pins. The rafters were all made four times deeper and 

 twice wider at the wall-plate than the ridge so that the roof -timbers 

 seemed as firm and as true as when first built. 



The same surface dressing of semi-transparent composition was 

 varnished over all the timbers and oak panelling here as elsewhere in 

 the building. 



In groping amidst the dust and cobwebs, he found tacked be- 

 tween the junction of the curved braces a small parchment packet. 

 This he secured, hoping it might prove a relic of value to add to the 

 treasures of "Langholme." 



He was glad Mr. Clifton had pointed out this admirable piece of 

 ancient architecture, perhaps without anything like it in any other 

 existing roof, ancient or modern. 



In returning they passed into the old banqueting hall. In one 

 corner was a pair of parish stocks of the date 1849, when an act of 

 Parliament called "The Statue of Laborers" was passed authorizing 

 their erection and use in every parish for laborers' punishment who 

 w T ould not work for low wages. In the same year, 1349, was instituted 

 the most noble Order of Garter by King Edward. These facts he 

 stated to his companions, observing how intimately kings, priests and 

 class deputies work together in state, though they do a little squab- 

 bling at times. 



He closely examined the parish stocks of 1349, saying that they 

 revealed parish economy and perhaps its false equity of justice, as 

 they held two prisoners at once and perhaps the same duration of sen- 

 tence wa 5 operative, however the offence of each varied. He had 

 read that two hours crarnp was torture fora strong man as the man's 

 back had no support, being hand-tied in front sometimes fixed in 

 hand-holes as well as by the legs. 



The stocks were of roughly hewn logs of oak. The holes for legs 



