162 Congress of British Archaeological Association at Devizes. 



had caused so much discussion as to the point where it approaches 

 Silbury. Thence a pretty drive through the park to Bowood House, 

 which had been thrown open by the courtesy of the Marquis of 

 Lansdowne. The principal front, which faces south, has a large por- 

 tico, carried by ten Doric columns, and in the pediment are sculptured 

 the family arms. To the left has been added a long wing, the 

 elevation imitated, after the fashion of the last century, from a 

 portion of Diocletian's palace at Spalatro. The entrance hall is 

 paved with tesselated marble, and contains statuary and two large 

 frescoes, representing scenes in the Trojan war. A grand staircase 

 leads to the principal suite of apartments, wherein a couple of hours 

 were well spent in examining the paintings, sculpture, and china. 



On leaving Bowood luncheon at the u Lansdowne Arms," Derry 

 Hill, was the next object ; and then the party proceeded towards 

 Lacock, halting on the road to see the Tudor gate-house at Spye 

 Park, which once formed part of Bromham Hall ; and again on the 

 declivity of Bowden Hill, to examine the vaulted conduit-house, 

 which supplies Lacock Abbey with water, and here a difference of 

 opinion arose as to its probable date. Mr. Weight, who quoted a 

 letter from Mr. Talbot, stated that it was a structure of the time of 

 Edward VI., an assertion to which Mr. Brock could not at all 

 agree. Mr. Christian considered it a most beautiful work, noticing 

 especially the stone roof, the slabs overlying, and moulded at the 

 overlap, and confidently attributed it to the fourteenth century. 1 

 He also pointed out the ribbed vaulting beneath the roof and the 

 doorway, which had been introduced in the seventeenth century. 

 Mr. Picton detected features in this structure resembling in a 

 striking manner some that were to be seen in Rosslyn Chapel. 



Note. — In connection with this subject the following letter, 

 which appeared in the columns of the Devizes Gazette } is here re- 

 produced in extenso : — 



1 Mr. Talbot remarks on the above, " But both Mr. Brock and Mr. Christian 

 modified their first views before they left the place, the latter gentleman coming 

 to the conclusion that the whole was put together at one time, but with the in- 

 corporation of older material. Even this modified view however, I am convinced, 

 cannot be maintained." 



