PEOBTJS CHTJECH AND TOWER. 485 



A few of the old bencli-eiids are utilised in the chancel 

 stalls, and some of the emblems of the Passion are carved 

 thereon ; amongst them the thirty pieces of silver, and the 

 scourge ; whilst on one of the bench-ends in the nave the 

 inscription, "Ave Maria," and the cross, surrounded by emblems 

 of the crucifixion, are cut. 



The tower-arch is late perpendicular, and it was intended to 

 vault the first stage in stone — a plan which was never carried 

 into effect. King Charles's letter of thanks is placed here. 



The tower itself, the crown and glory of the church, stands 

 at the western end of the nave. It is of three stages, wholly 

 built of " moorstone," and almost entirely covered with lichens, 

 which give it a soft gre3nish-grey colour, most pleasing to the 

 eye. At each angle there are double buttresses, diminishing as 

 they ascend with foliated pinnacles at each stage. 



The ornamentation increases in richness towards the summit, 

 where the tower is crowned with a battlemented parapet, and 

 with clustered foliated pinnacles of good proportion. 



The decoration is well designed, consisting of figures, 

 animals, foliage, fleur-de-lis, and other subj ects ; whilst three 

 nitches for images with canopies, are placed in the north and 

 south walls of the ground stage.'*' 



There are various traditions extant as to the building of the 

 church and tower. One old legend affirms that Probus Tower 

 was intended for Truro church ; but, as it was being brought 

 down in a waggon drawn by six horses, the evil one upset the 

 team, and planted the tower where it now stands in Probus 

 village. Another story runs that St. Probus built the church ; 

 but failing funds he petitioned Grace, a wealthy lady, to aid him, 

 and she built the beautiful tower at her own cost — and now 

 across the base of the roodscreen appears the curious inscription 

 before mentioned. 



When the church was consecrated Probus took to himself 

 all the credit, until a supernatural voice was heard exclaiming in 



loud tones — 



" Saint Probus and Grace, 

 Not the first but the laest." 



* The illustration of the tower is reproduced, by permission, from a photograph 

 taken by Messrs. Valentine of Dundee. 



