Thursday, August 9tA. 



149 



Renaissance work. Here are also two bays of the cloisters of earlier 

 date than the others ; a window of late fourteenth century work, 

 the grave-stone of the foundress, &c. The day-room was next 

 visited, where the huge stone cistern still remains, used (as Mr. 

 Talbot suggests) for storing water from the springs ; the chapter- 

 house, where are preserved two stone coffins, and the tomb of Ilbert 

 de Chaz, 1137, removed hence from Monkton Farleigh Priory; the 

 sacristy with marks of a former division of the eastern portion 

 into two chapels, and also the remains of some fine colouring on one 

 of the arches. The quadrangle was next visited, the buildings 

 around, for stables, bakehouse, &c, having been erected by Sir 

 William Sharington ; and from thence Mr. Talbot led his visitors 

 through a portion of the grounds, past the fishpond with abundance 

 of lilies in flower on the surface, to " the nun's cauldron," which is 

 placed on a pedestal, having been removed thence from the house 

 by an ancestor of the present owner. It is of bell metal, and was 

 cast at Mechlin in the year 1500 (probably by a bell-founder) ; it 

 holds sixty-seven gallons ; around it is a Latin inscription stating 

 the date and name of maker, and adding " Praise be to God, and 

 glory to Christ." In answer to an enquiry as to its use, Mr. Talbot 

 said he thought it was intended for culinary purposes. The hall 

 was then visited — a very fine room with a number of statuettes in 

 terra cotta in niches in the walls, and the roof emblazoned with coats 

 of arms. The apartments were next visited, and the family portraits, 

 tapestry, and other treasures duly admired ; amongst the portraits 

 was one of Henry VIII., by Holbein, and another of Sir William 

 Sharington, to which particular attention was directed. After passing 

 through the apartments, the visitors traversed the long gallery under 

 the roof, and emerged on the leads, thence proceeding to the turret, 

 built by Sharington, and containing a fine carved stone table of 

 Renaissance work. In the course of his descriptions Mr. Talbot 

 pointed out the additions and alterations that had been made at 

 various dates, especially regretting the destruction of much of the 

 Renaissance work in the time of George II. 



Before leaving the hall, The Bishop and the Rev. A. C. Smith 

 thanked Mr. Talbot for his very kind reception and the trouble h© 



L i 



