232 THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 



which would be found to bear a similarity or striking dis- 

 similarity in some point or other to those of this western region. 



The rude earthworks, stone structures,, and monuments of 

 Cornwall, the early inscribed stones, ceramic, metallic, and 

 other remains were described — also the curious kingly-figure of 

 tin and lead, marked with Hebrew letters, found underground 

 in Bodwen Moor, and now in Lord Eobartes's possession, con- 

 cerning the origin of which image so much doubt exists. The 

 history of Bodmin was briefly traced from Celtic,* through 

 mediaeval and later times. The famous Bodmin Casket was 

 shewn, which is regarded as the " ivory shell" or reliquary in 

 which St. Petroc's bones were brought back from Brittany, 

 A.D. 1177, after they had been taken away by Roger, one of 

 the Bodmin canons. St. Petroc had died in Bodmin, A.D., 564. 



The violent disputes between the Bodmin people and Prior 

 Vivian, titular Bishop of Megara, in the 16th century, were 

 mentioned, and the ancient prisons were described — diagrams 

 being shown of one dungeon in Prior Vivian's country residence 

 at Eialton, and of another, 30 feet deep, in St. Mawes Castle. 



The Cornish Brasses, as was clearly shewn by the 

 numerous rubbings, were of no great size. Specimens exhibited 

 from other parts of the kingdom afforded a contrast in that 

 respect. Representations of the three oldest in England were 

 pointed out, viz : those of Sir John D'Aubernoun, 1277 (Surrey), 

 Sir Roger de Trumpington (near Cambridge), and Sir John 

 D'Aubernoun, jun., son of the first named, From the postures 

 of the effigies, opportunity was taken to remark upon 

 the fallacy of the cross-legged theory when held to be an 

 invariable indication that the deceased had joined, or had wished 

 to join, in the crusades : ladies being sometimes so represented, 

 and some efiigies of known crusaders not being in that position. 

 A rubbing of the Groodryke brass (Ely), was interesting as 



* A British circular earthwork, Castle Kernic, or Canyke, crowns the highest 

 hill in the parish, 250 feet above the level of the sea. A Roman Camp at 

 Tregeare, in which relics of the 1st century have been found, overlooks 

 Nanstallon ford. The Beacon Hill, on which in old time signal fires were probably 

 lighted, stands 515 feet above sea level, and commands an extensive view. On 

 it is now a modern Obelisk, 144 feet high, in memory of General Gilbert. Bodmin 

 contains the chief government and county establishments, and returns a member 

 to Parliament. 



