Cc 
more had been discovered since his day. One, recorded by him, 
as situate four miles east of Michell, had during many years been 
lost sight of, but had recently been re-discovered by Mr. Iago, and 
apparently in its original position. Mr. Iago also gave his ren- 
dering of an inscription, hitherto considered illegible, on the 
Inscribed Stone which had been used in the foundations of Phil- 
lack Church; and, further, exhibited and explained a drawing, 
he had made, of a mediseval carving in alabaster, discovered in 
the church at Mabe. 
The length of the earlier papers prevented much discussion, 
but the proceedings altogether were of the most successful and 
enjoyable tharacter. 
We will close this account of the Conversazione with a de- 
scription and illustration (by Rev. W. Iago) of the carved relic 
last referred to. 
ALABASTER CARVING AT MABE. 
Mr. Iago writes,—“This fragment, kindly shewn to me by the 
Vicar of Mabe, (the Rev. A. A. Vawdrey), was discovered with 
many others in a built-up Aumbry in the Chancel, during the 
restoration of the church. There are several subjects represented 
—this one shews the painful martyrdom of an early Bishop. His 
name has not yet been ascertained.—The figures around him are 
carved from the same block—all being in high relief (but rather 
unequally placed), gilded and colored. None of the eyes are 
closed—although at first some appear to be so, from the fact that 
the painted pupils have been rubbed off. An executioner, at one 
side, pours a black stream from a ladle, upon the Martyr's head ; 
hot pitch or molten lead seems tobe intended, as oil would 
have been tinted yellow; this renders it unlikely that St. John 
can be signified. Drops of the dark liquid appear on the Saint’s 
body. A second tormentor holds him down with an instrument, 
or burns him, with its heated blade, upon the breast. Part of a 
third executioner is seen below—the remaining portion of him 
and of his weapon, which was thrust through or against the side 
of the cauldron, having been broken away. There was probably 
a fourth on the other side—most likely stirring the fire beneath 
the cauldron in which the Martyr stands; but the alabaster there 
no longer exists. Behind are bearded personages—A King, 
crowned, and robed in ermine, bearing a curved sword or scimitar 
—/(perhaps to signify that the tortures of the victim were com- 
pleted by decapitation). On his left stands a hooded monk-like 
figure holding what seems to be a roll or scroll. He may be meant 
for a heathen soothsayer or idolatrous priest, the King’s ill-adviser 
—instigating the infliction of the sufferings. 
