168 MYLOR CHURCH; ITS CROSSES, FRESCOES, &C. 



several other grotesque heads on the exterior of the church. A 

 shallow stone bowl of Norman work, with a human face for spout^ 

 was found loose in the Tower. 



The Eoof of the Church was of oak, waggon-form — constructed 

 perhaps late in the 14tli Century; but too much decayed to be 

 capable of preservation. About one-third of it remained between 

 the Chancel and the Tower. A handsome new roof, of pitch-pine, 

 has just been constructed. 



The Norman North AVall of the Nave was an object of chief 

 interest during the renovation process, as Frescoes were discovered 

 upon it.* 



The Frescoes and other wall-paintings were so much damaged 

 when discovered, that they were almost beyond description. Age, 

 decay, and successive coats of whitewash had greatly injured them, 

 and they had been broken and pierced in so many places, for the 

 erection of mural tablets, &c., that not one entire design was 

 discernible. They extended in great profusion from the apex of 

 the Carclew Arch to the western extremity of the wall. On 

 scaling off the whitewash with the utmost care, several layers of 

 designs were found, one over another; innumerable personages 

 and several inscriptions being depicted. The following is as clear 

 an account of them as repeated inspection rendered possible. 



(1). On the surface of the original plastering of the wall 

 and close to the point of the Carclew Arch, the figure t of a 

 woman clothed in a red garment (cloak 1) open at the bosom. Her 

 hair arranged in a horizontal roll of yellow curl protruding beneath 

 the lower edge of a tightly fitting cap encasing the head and 

 coming closely round the face, which was turned slightly upward. 

 The countenance was coloured pale pink, the features being 

 delineated in dull red. There was no nimbus about her head. 

 This figure formed one of a group, as the lower part of her robe 

 was half concealed by the red robe of another which projected 

 somewhat in front of her ; this last not being further traceable. 



(2). On the lower part of the Avail, close to the Norman 

 doorway and east of it, was another fresco, — of dim appear- 

 ance. A right arm could be traced, figured in black upon the grey 



* Plate II. 



t Height of figure 2 ft. 10 in. 



