WALL-PAINTINGS, &C., AT LAUNCESTON AND CARDYNHAM. 57 
of the ultimate defeat of the crafty destroyer—united action on 
the part of the weak and easily deceived, conducing to successful 
resistance of the common foe, who would capture and consume 
them at will. Whether there is ground or not for such specula-. 
tive views as the foregoing, which seem almost to flow from Dr. 
Borlase’s expression, “The Host-cista,” it must be allowed by all, 
that in the middle ages it was not considered irreverent or pro- 
fane to produce the most grotesque combinations of things Sacred 
and Secular—often, a word—a name—or a deeper lesson, being 
set before the unlearned by means of some very far-fetched Pic- 
torial Rebus. 
Wall-Paintings recently discovered at Launceston and Cardynham. 
OME very clearly defined mural paintings* were found, not 
long since, in one of the Churches at Launceston. Mr. E. 
Vernon Collins, of Bodmin, has shewn me sketches of two of the 
subjects. One represents a Beast with curved and striped snout, 
climbing the crocketed (and otherwise elaborately decorated) arch 
of the piscina. A style of ornamentation seems to have been 
adopted resembling that observed by Sir John Maclean, at 
Trevalga ;+ pillars with their caps and bases, and some other pat- 
terns, being painted at the angles of the walls, windows, &c. 
St. Roche is likewise depicted—in accordance with the legend 
commonly related concerning him. An angel is shewn approaching 
with a remedy for the Saint’s wounded thigh, and a dog stands 
erect, holding forth a loaf in its mouth ; while, enclosing the whole 
group, is painted an arched canopy with supporting side pillars. 
The figures appear to have been in a good state of preservation, 
when laid bare. 
Cardynham Church also is now undergoing restoration. The 
Chancel being in course of rebuilding, &c., several interesting 
————— sees 
* Reserved for a future number of this Journal. 
+ See “Notes and Queries,” 1872, Jan. 20, No. 212, 4th Ser., ix, pp. 52-3. 
