Ixiv. CHEDDAR, WELLS, AND GLASTONBURY. 



Priest, the Rev. J, W, Plaxton. He showed them the ancient 

 hall of the Vicars Choral with its quaint pulpit or reading desk 

 for lections during repasts. From the hall the party descended 

 the steps into the Close of the Vicars Choral, a secluded alley 

 of houses, 21 on each side, each consisting of two rooms and 

 proAiding accommodation for 42 vicars. The Vicars Choral were 

 really, the Dean explained, substitutes for the country clergy, who 

 found it difficult, living miles away, to travel long distances to 

 the cathedral over ver}' bad roads, and so were obliged to have 

 vicarii chorales to sing the services for them. About the year 

 1340 Ralph of Shrewsbury gathered them into a college so that 

 they might be housed comfortably and kept from unprofitable 

 and harmful intercourse with the outer world. The dainty little 

 chapel and the little librar)' built over it were also visited. 



The Dean then led the visitors through his garden to the 

 Deaner}% a fine old 14th Century house, rebuilt by Dean 

 Gunthorpe, 1472-98, standing in the Close, but quite complete 

 in itself, with its own gatehouse and wall of defence. The Dean 

 very kindly showed them over his house, and then, by the 

 courtesy of the Principal of the Theological College, they were 

 allowed to go through his garden to see the wells from which the 

 city takes its name. 



Dinner. 



Shortly before eight o'clock the company sat down to dinner 

 at the Swan Hotel. The President, having submitted the 

 loyal toasts, proposed the health of the Dean and also of the 

 other visitors, INIr. H. St. George Gray and Mr. Sheldon. 



The INIembership. — Six new INIembers were elected and two 

 candidates for Membership nominated. 



Maumbury Rings. 



The proposed investigation of Maumbury Rings, Dorchester, 

 was discussed ; Mr. Gray, who had undertaken to carry out the 



