124 



The Forty- Seventh General Meeting. 



the south aisle will once more be roofed over and thrown into the 

 Church. Some discussion, took place as to the use of the curious 

 projecting stone chamber, in the triforium on the southern side, 

 apparently of late fourteenth century date, which Mr. Brakspear 

 regarded as having been built to contain the organ for use in the 

 nave services. 



Mr. Brakspear's account of the building and its history was very 

 much to the point, but as it is hoped that when the work is complete 

 he will put the knowledge he has gained at the disposal of the 

 Society in the shape of a paper in the Magazine it is unnecessary 

 to dwell further on it here. 



After the Abbey, the adjoining ABBEY HOUSE, the residence 

 of the late Dr. Jennings, was kindly thrown open to the inspection 

 of the Society, and the vaulted chambers with a range of windows 

 looking over the valley — now forming the cellarage of the 

 Elizabethan- house, but once part of the Infirmary Hall of the 

 Abbey — were visited with much interest, as well as a good panelled 

 room in the later building above, with a fine view from its windows 

 over the river. 



From this point the party proceeded slowly, for the day was 

 hot, to take advantage of the tea most kindly provided at 

 Halcombe by Col. and Mrs. L/uce. 



After tea many of the party made their way to St. John's 

 Hospital, with its handsome transition Norman archway built up ; 

 and to the quaint little court house behind it — still used for the 

 courts of the "Old Corporation." Here the annual election of 

 officers takes place on Trinity Tuesday, and in former years after 

 the election, a procession, with a representative of King Atheistan in 

 a scarlet cloak, paraded the town — conspicuous amongst the officers 

 being the Steward of the Common, whose business it is to allot their 

 land to the four hundred and forty freemen, or commoners, who 

 still enjoy the benefit of King Athelstan's donation of the "King's 

 Heath." On this occasion it was the custom within living memory 

 to pelt the steward with flour, soot, and eggs, but whether on 

 account of his own particular misdemeanours or on account of 

 those of some semi-mythical predecessor does not seem to be known. 



