xliii. 



the President said that he would read a paper entitled " Decoys, the 

 Abbotsbury Swannery, and Swan Marks," which would describe the 

 history of Decoys and the method employed in capturing wild fowl, and 

 render their walk more interesting. This paper is printed in full in the 

 present volume, p. 1. 



The parish church was next visited under the guidance of Dr. Hawkins. 

 It is a Gothic structure, with a square tower containing five bells, and 

 dedicated to St. Nicholas. The pulpit is a fine example of oak carving of 

 the Jacobean period. In it are two holes caused by bullets fired by 

 Cromwell's soldiers, when the church was garrisoned by Royalists under 

 General Strangways. The house occupied by the General was not far 

 distant, which was eventually captured by Cromwell's men. The windows 

 of the south side of the church are of debased English style, of about 

 1640. This part of the church was restored about 200 years ago. The 

 windows of the north side are lattice. The walls, surmounted by 

 pinnacles, represent the oldest portion of the building. A remarkable 

 feature in the interior of the church is a double piscina of a very 

 uncommon character. The initials " J. P." and " J. R." at the top of one 

 of the pillars of the south side stand for two of the abbots of Abbotsbury, 

 John of Portesham and John of Rodden, of the dates 1527 and 1534 

 respectively. On the west side of the tower is a curious figure, emble- 

 matical of the Trinity, represented as an old man sitting with a crucifix 

 between his knees, and a dove in the act of descending. 



The tithe barn, 300ft. in length, was afterwards visited. 



Mr. H. Moule, curator of the County Museum, Dorchester, then read a 

 paper on "The Stone Altar of Gorton." This will be found given in full 

 in the present volume at p. 71. 



The Swannery and Decoy were next visited. 



Luncheon was provided at the Ilchester Arms at 1.30, and, though the 

 number present far exceeded the expectations of the landlord, there was 

 sufficient for all. After new members had been elected, the Treasurer 

 read a letter from Professor Westwood, speaking in high terms of 

 Proceedings Vol. VII., a copy of which he had lately received. 



Mr. H. Moule then read a paper on " The Archaeology of the Abbey," 

 which will be found in the present volume at p. 38. 



The President rose to return thanks to Mr. Moule for his eloquent 

 paper, and said he felt satisfied that they had postponed their visit to St. 

 Catherine's Chapel until after the paper had been read. 



Mr. Groves remarked that the Strangways family founded a chantry in 

 1505. The indenture of that chantry provided for the number of priests 

 to the abbey, and specified, if they diminished below eight, the daily 



