By H. J. MOULB, M.A. 



OR some reason or other Gorton seems to be 

 less well known than it deserves. Its name is 

 most significant. It is in a remarkable way 

 Gorton, the Tun of the Cut, for through a cut 

 in the rock passes the only carriage road to 

 Gorton. And traversing that cut we see Gorton 

 lying below us, on the slope of the hill, facing South, charmingly 

 situated. Knocked about the house has been to a deplorable 

 extent. Its slate roof, for instance, is modern, although glorified 

 out of its native hideousness by a matchless growth of golden 

 lichen. We still see several mullioned windows and a four-centred 

 arch or two, speaking of the 16th century. One of these last 

 spans an open hearth with good dog-irons. These, however, belong 

 to one of the two labourers' families to whose use the house is now 

 relegated. There is also a fragment of wainscotting containing 

 three or four panels of the linen pattern. .But it is not of Gorton 

 House, but Gorton Chapel that I am to speak. I have been told 

 by some one that Gorton Chapel belonged to a Cell of Abbots- 

 bury. Of this I find no confirmation. On the contrary, in some 

 documents it is called a Free Chapel. That is, it was endowed, 

 and cost nothing either to the parish priest or to the parishioners ; 

 and the appointment to it was in the Bishop's hands. Other 



