Ixx. MILTON ABREY MEETING, 



supposed to be a tabernacle for the reservation of the Host, but 

 on examination, when the Royal Archaeological Institute visited 

 the Abbey in 1897, found to contain fittings for a bell. A 

 15th century niche, probably for a statue, in the south transept, 

 with the Milton rebus let in over it at some subsequent time, of 

 which the carved canopy and mouldings have been cut off level 

 with the wall ; not far ofif a larger opening has been treated in 

 the same way. The latter may have been used for heart burial, 

 and may have contained a miniature recumbent figure as at 

 Mappowder (Vol. XV., p. xxxix.). An incised sepulchral slab 

 with an inscription in Longobard lettering, probably relating to 

 one of the Abbots of INIilton. This will be illustrated and fully 

 discussed in the next year's volume. 



In the vestry the wall-slab of John Tregonwell (1680) was 

 noticed. It mentions that " by his last will and testament he 

 gave all the books within this vestry to the use of this Abbey 

 Churcl"! for ever, in thankful acknowledgment of God's wonderful 

 mercy in his preservation when he fell from the top of this 

 church." The books, some of which have chains on them, are 

 ancient editions of the fathers and other black-letter books of 

 divinity ; but for many years they have been kept in the vicarage 

 study instead of in the vestry. 



The staircase turret, and blocked-up doorway leading to the 

 old dormitories over the slype which once existed here were next 

 pointed out by the Vicar, and also the rib-walls of the sacristy 

 and the columns of the Lady Chapel. This concluded the 

 examination of the Abbey Church. 



On their way to the house to tea, on the kind invitation of 

 Mr. Everard Hambro, the owner of the Mansion, some of the 

 members lingered to admire the beautifully-carved Italian well 

 head near the entrance to the house. 



After tea, by which the members were greatly refreshed, the 

 business meeting was held in the great Hall, the refectory of the 

 Ancient Abbey, in which the old carved oak screen, dated 1498, 

 still stands. The noble President expressed gratification at the 

 unqualified success of the day's proceedings, and uttered the 



