334 MEETINGS. 



this huge stone is about 8 tons. There are decided Mater- 

 worn markings on the south side of this Longue Kocque and 

 also on top. 



In the Pay sans Farm is a small trough supposed at one 

 time to have been used to hold holy water, hollowed out of a 

 beach stone. I know many of these little troughs lying about 

 at different farm houses in this parish. There is also a niche in 

 the hall, similar to those at the King's Mills, in three or four 

 houses there. These may have been intended to hold figures of 

 saints. We then passed on to visit an old farm called "Lorier," 

 in St. Saviour's parish, belonging to the Torode family. The 

 date given is 1687, printed in small pebbles stuck in plaster 

 over a window in an upper room, with the letters moyxt, 

 believed to be that Nicolas Torode built the house. In the 

 same room is a handsome only fireplace in well-carved stones ; 

 over the fireplace are the words " La paix de Dieu soit ici,"— 

 " The peace of God be here." This is about the finest old 

 fireplace I have seen in this island. Some have carved heads 

 and are very quaint ; the workmanship is rough, but there is a 

 refinement about this. In the same room is a bedstead or 

 cupboard, the first of its kind I have seen in Guernsey. How 

 the people of old could have passed eight or ten hours in such 

 a miserable box, 6 by 6 by 5, when the curtains were closed, 

 sunk down in feather beds and feather pillows in a small stuffy 

 room, is beyond belief. Yet they were a hardy race ; strong 

 and able, used to hard labour, either walking to market, or on 

 horses with their garden and dairy produce, and sitting in open 

 market in all weather to sell their vegetables or butter, not as 

 now, when they must have their omnibuses and carriers. 



Passing over from the mainland, we on another day, visited 

 Lihou Island. The new causeway crosses and runs alongside 

 the old causeway, which was on a higher level, made by the 

 monks of old. The lower level raised beach is visible right round 

 the Island of Lihou, showing it must have been detached from 

 the Island of Guernsey many hundreds of years ago. The 

 severe storms we have had lately, accompanied by very high 

 tides, have undermined many banks, exposing and washing very 

 clean these raised beaches. In one spot, in fact the only spot 

 on the island, I found some very good flint chippings. The ruins 

 of the old chapel and convent show a great determination to 

 withstand nature's forces : wind, rain and frost ; the mortar 

 used was very strong, composed of sand, sea-shells, limpets 

 and lime, quite as compact as the stone it cemented. Had 

 that stupid order of one of our Governors never been issued, 

 urged on by the sage advice of an engineer officer who ima- 



