XX111. 



Withered Hand" and " The Woodlanders" where the belief was stated 

 that human life is sometimes so bound up with the life of an individual 

 tree that if injury or death were inflicted on the latter it would certainly 

 overtake the man. Cases were cited of springs or wells at Bridport and 

 at Cerne Abbas, which were still believed to have miraculous powers. 

 Cases were also cited of individuals who were still regarded as witches, 

 or as possessed with some miraculous powers. A unanimous vote of 

 thanks was passed to the author of the paper, after which the meeting 

 closed. 



THE MEETING AT WAREHAM was held on Thursday, June 18th, 

 upwards of 80 members and friends being piesent. The programme for 

 the day included a visit during the morning to the principal churches of 

 the town under the guidance of the Rector, the Rev. Selwyn Blackett, 

 whilst the explanation of the old town walls was reserved for the 

 afternoon. 



In the ruined archway of old St. Martin's Church, the Rector said the 

 church had passed quite out of the life of the town, although it 

 still had its churchwardens, who held vestries, and nourished the dream 

 that some day it might be restored. St. Martin's was probably built by 

 Aldhelm, who died in 705, but since then it had undergone much altera- 

 tionT~It bore close resemblance to the church of Bradford-on-Avon, and 

 had almost similar proportions. The church had been lengthened 

 westward, whilst the north aisle was of later date than the nave. The 

 east window was a modern insertion, but the north window dated back 

 to Saxon times. Altars evidently stood under the south w indow of the 

 nave and the east window of the aisle, and the chancel gates were 

 probably under the aisle. The chancel would thus be a lady chapel. 

 The south window by the chancel arch had been enlarged to form a 

 pulpit, whilst the tower at the west end of the porch was a later addition. 

 In 1762 the greater part of Wareham was burnt down, and the church 

 was turned into a refuge for the homeless, and close by the spot where 

 they were standing were the remains of a brick fireplace erected on tha^. 

 occasion. He, the Rector, had opened the floor of the chancel with a 

 view to ascertaining whether it was, as reported to be, the burial place 

 of King Bertric. A brick vault was discovered containing a nearly 

 perfect human skeleton and various other remains, but amongst them 

 there was nothing pointing to royalty. An opening was then made 

 elsewhere, but here so many human bones were found that he closed it 

 up. Doubtless the whole interior of the church was one great burial 

 place. Though there was no evidence for it, it was quite possible that 



