ST. CLETHER CHAPEL AND HOLY WELLS. 547 



the people, seeking a cure, drank, out of the lower well, the 

 water thus sanctified, (a) We know, from the life of St. Patrick, 

 that this was done in Pagan Ireland, (h) We know that this 

 was done in mediseval Brittany, (c) We know that water, out 

 of the skull of St. Teilo, was drunk as a cure for epilepsy, till 

 quite recently, in Pembrokeshire." 



Doubtless some such purpose was intended. For the upper 

 recess is merely a rough opening for clearing the drain upwards ; 

 but the lower one is quite different in structure. It has a cut 

 granite lintel, and jambs with rebates for a door ; and the 

 stone support of the altar has been kept back, out of its normal 

 position, so that a person stooping down might insert or remove 

 some object, or articles ; all indicating a distinct purpose 

 connected with a recess which was of sufficient importance to 

 require a door, and was so constructed as to be in direct 

 communication with the water from the upper well, and, by 

 means of that water, with the lower well. 



As for the upper well, perhaps it never had more than 

 two roofing courses, with a flat curb above ; Laneast well, in the 

 adjoining parish, is thus finished off ; and only the roofing 

 blocks of one, or, at most, of part of two courses, were found 

 here. But Mr. Baring-Q-ould suggested a ridge and roll, after the 

 manner of Linkinhorne and other wells, and his wishes have 

 been carried out. 



Before the cap-stones were set up, an inscribed leaden 

 tablet was inserted, recording when and by whom the ruinous 

 Chapel and Well were re-erected, and terminating with the 

 fitting aspiration : — 



" DEW RE BO GOKDHYYS." 



