246 ST. Michael's mount. 



On each side of the central panel are three other bas-reliefs 

 of the same material, but much more modern and of no especial 

 interest. 



At the head of the steps leading into the chapel is a 

 finely sculptured cross of 14th century work, to which date also 

 I am inclined to ascribe the bracket which projects from the 

 north waU of the chapel, just above the broken tomb slab on 

 which are sculptured the trunk and legs of a man, with a cross 

 beneath. This latter is said to represent a former Prior, a 

 statement that may or may not be true. 



The Mount still retains the privilege, granted to it by Pope 

 G-regory, of freedom from all episcopal jurisdiction, and is 

 consequently not within the Diocese of Truro. For Poor law 

 purposes it is a separate parish with its own overseers. 



I am pleased to take this opportunity of commenting on the 

 taste and skill with which the latest alterations of, and additions 

 to, the Mount have been carried out by the late Mr. J. Piers St. 

 Aubyn. As a rule, I confess that, I have no great admiration 

 for his work ; and it is therefore all the greater pleasure to be 

 able to bear testimony to that with which no fault can be found. 

 Good illustrated accounts of the architectural features of the 

 Mount may be found in vol. 6 of the Exeter Diocesan 

 Architectural Society's Transactions and in the number of the 

 British Architect for Christmas, 1887. My principal authorities 

 for the history of the Monastery are Oliver's Monasticon, the 

 Episcopal Registers as far as published in Prebendary Hingeston- 

 Eandolph's edition and the various publications of the Eolls office. 



Note. — ^I have intentionally preserved the different spellings 

 of place names as being of value to those who endeavour to 

 trace their origin and meaning. 



