50 Gossipings about the Parish of Saul. 



patrick and Saul seem to have had a controlling influence over 

 the great district they commanded, as the whole country is 

 studded over with monasteries ; the only two of which any 

 trace remains being those of Inch and Greyabbey. The two 

 old fragments of stone, which I have had great pleasure in 

 handing over to the Belfast Museum, belong to an early age ; 

 I should say the tenth or twelfth century. The larger of the 

 two is covered with carving (in relief) on either side. On what 

 appears to be the face of the stone, is a cross and crucifix ; on 

 the opposite side, a bishop's key, crosier and mitre. It is about 

 six inches thick, and is carved with fine fluted lines over 

 slightly rounded off corners. Along the top are three half- 

 moon sockets, about i^ inch deep, which evidently have been 

 intended to lit down upon studs of another slab. The smaller 

 stone has been used for holding the blessed water. You will 

 observe two small lips have been cut on the top edge or rim, 

 for pouring off the contents. On turning this stone upon its 

 lace, it presents the form of a cross ; hence I am led to believe 

 that the larger stone has formed the top of an ancient Irish 

 cross, erected at an early period in the history of Saul, to mark 

 the sacred spot wherein may have been deposited the remains 

 of some great dignitary of the early Christian church. Here I 

 must humbly apologise for having occupied your time this 

 evening at such length with this hurriedly written gossip about 

 the ancient Parish of Sank 



Mr. W. H. Patterson — The district that has just been 

 referred to is exceedingly rich in antiquarian remains. As 

 regards the two stones Mr. Lithgow has presented, the bowl- 

 shaped one, as he says, is probably a holy water basin, the 

 grooves at the side being made that it might not be filled too 

 full. The other stone seems to be a portion of a raised cross 

 which never had any arms, but the edges of which were 

 decorated with the figures of ecclesiastics. On one face there 

 is a beautiful sculptured cross and on the other a figure of the 

 crucifixion. These stones may probably be referred to the 13th 

 century. 



