34 



ANNUAL EXCURSION, 1891. 



The Annual Excursion of tlie Eoyal Institution of Cornwall 

 took place on Aug. 20th., and was as successful as such an enter- 

 prise could be in a continuous and heavy downpour of rain. 



The party, which numhered over fifty, assembled at "Wade- 

 bridge at half -past nine in the morning, took carriage and rode 

 away for St. Breock Church. Very soon after the start the rain 

 commenced to fall, and for the remainder of the day never 

 ceased. The first halting place was St. Breock Church, where 

 the members, met by the vicar (the Eev. W. P. P. Matthews), 

 paused for a few moments to inspect an early slab commemor- 

 ating, in Norman French, "Tomas le Vicarie de Nansegn," a 

 curious armorial tomb of Yyell, and some Tredinnick family 

 brasses. On through the rain the party then went to St. Petroc 

 Minor Church, a beautifully decorated fabric, which was re- 

 opened for services after re-building in 1858. Among the relics 

 which were inspected with interest was the Norman Erench slab 

 of a certain Sir Poger, now lying under a low arch constructed 

 for its reception on the north side of the sacrarium. It is a flat 

 stone, with a simple floriated cross cut upon it in low relief, and 

 surmounted by a tonsured human head. St. Petroc, the patron 

 saint of the church, is said to have visited Ireland and thence 

 crossed over to Padstow A.D. 518. He afterwards settled at 

 Bodmin, where he died. The Pev. Viscount Molesworth, the 

 vicar, courteously explained to the visitors the features of interest 

 in the church. Prom this point, however, a large part of the 

 programme, including a trip to Trevose Head, was, by common 

 consent, abandoned, and a rapid drive was made to Padstow. 

 One waggonette proceeded to St. Merryn, where its church was 

 inspected. Major Parkyn had remembered his errant brothers 

 and sisters, and they gladly found at Padstow the refection which 

 had been reserved for them. Some of the party then rested, some 

 walked to the battery, and others strolled about Padstow until 

 half-past two o'clock, when, by invitation of Mr. Prideaux-Brune, 

 they visited Prideaux Place, once known as Prideaux Castle, a 



