THE POOLE TOWN CELLAR. 85 



I adopt the name. Below was an ancient doorway formed of 

 Masonic stone jambs and lintel, the sill of which was about five or 

 six feet above the level of the present road, about the same height 

 as the floor ledge in the Town Cellar. This doorway looked to the 

 east and opened into a short passage leading north into Salisbury- 

 street, opposite, or nearly opposite, Kendall's-lane. There were 

 other buildings between the Ship Inn and the present Library, 

 but of these buildings I can give no particulars, all record of what 

 originally stood there having been lost. The large room or 

 banquetting hall extended from Salisbury-street to Paradise-street, 

 having a lancet window or windows looking into Paradise-row, and 

 in the middle of the west side of it, that adjoining the end of the 

 Town Cellar, was a large chimney and a stone mantelpiece of 

 handsome design, and ornamented in the Perpendicular style. This 

 mantelpiece is still in Messrs. Oakley's possession. The room was 

 42ft. in length from Salisbury-street to Paradise-row, that is from 

 north to south, and 33ft. 6 in. in length from east to west. The 

 Ship Inn and the Town Cellar were separate and distinct, there 

 was no party wall, and the Town Cellar was oriented. The 

 banquetting hall had an open oaken roof, the principals being sup- 

 ported by hammer beams, each beam terminating in a carved head 

 of monastic character, some wearing the tonsure, others the veil, 

 and some of them bearded. I have had those that are still in 

 existence photographed. From the upper surface of these hammer 

 beams spring the principals, and from below curved ribs, the two 

 forming a Gothic arch. All were of oak, tenoned and pinned 

 together with oaken pins. For this description I am indebted to 

 Mr. Morris, as also for the loan of some of the hammer beams ; 

 for the others, as also for the inspection of the title deeds of the 

 Ship, and consequently its history, I am indebted to Mr. Oakley. 

 I think we need not hesitate to ascribe an ecclesiastical origin and 

 use to the Ship Inn, and to the Town Cellar also. 



At right angles to this house, the Ship Inn, and on the other 

 side of Salisbury-street bounding Kendall's-lane, and to the north 

 of the Town Cellars and Ship Inn, is a house generally spoken of 



