244 THE AUTUMN EXCUESION. 



from these works, a large portion of wliicli is dried in tlie open 

 air. There is something singularly picturesque in a narrow defile 

 between two branches of the pit. The prevailing hue of the 

 cliffs is white, and what with their irregular shapes and their 

 jagged peaks, they really resemble a miniature series of snow 

 clad Alpine peaks. By moonlight the effect is said to be fantas- 

 tic in the extreme. 



The return to St. Austell was speedily effected, and a visit to 

 the parish Church brought ouj:" day's explorations to an end. 

 This beautiful Church, which has recently undergone an excellent 

 restoration, and is now one of the handsomest in the county, con- 

 tains specimens of the Norman, Transitional, Decorated and 

 Perpendicular styles of architecture, and some very interesting 

 bench end carvings, which have been collected from the pig-sties 

 and other similar erections in the parish, to which they had been 

 relegated by our enlightened post-Reformation forefathers. We 

 were met at the door by the Eev. F. Paul, who gave us a hearty 

 welcome. 



The chief points of interest in the edifice were pointed out by 

 Dr. Drake, Sir John Maclean, and Mr. Preeth, of Duporth, who 

 here joined the party. Dr. Drake pointed out the arms of 

 the Ercedeckne and Haccombe families, and those of the Courte- 

 nays, with the fleurs de lis, which he held to indicate their claims 

 to the French royal blood. On this point there was some contro- 

 versy with Sir John. Dr, Drake also indicated the miners' tools 

 which are figured on some of the old bench ends. 



The day was pleasantly terminated by an excellent dinner at 

 the Globe Hotel, over which Dr. Jago presided. The toast list 

 was commendably brief — The Queen ; the Duke and Duchess of 

 Cornwall ; the ladies and gentlemen who had so kindly made the 

 Society welcome, and given information ; and the chief pioneer 

 and guide, Mr. Collins. Animated conversation on the events of 

 the day took the place of speech-making, and dinner was con- 

 cluded just in time to catch the last up and down trains. 



W. LAKE, STE^UI PEESS, TEUEO. 



