The Opening Meeting. 



15 



they would find that literary men had done a great deal more good 

 of the two. In conclusion he called upon Mr. Talbot to give them 

 a paper on " The Architecture of Malmesbury Abbey/'' which that 

 gentleman did with great ability , and afterwards conducted the party 

 around the building, pointing out the details alluded to in his paper, 

 (which will be found in a subsequent page of this Magazine) and care- 

 fully explaining the various particulars of interest on which he had 

 treated. Within the Abbey he pointed out those portions of which 

 he had before spoken, which represented the original Norman work. 

 The great arch, now entirely blocked up, at the east end of the 

 nave, formed the western arch of the central tower, he explained, the 

 Norman arch remaining as built. The choir screen, as they now 

 saw it was a work of the time of Henry VII. The characteristic 

 Norman work in the nave was conspicuous in the immense circular 

 pillars and the arches, which were bluntly pointed. Above they had 

 the triforium, and then above, the clerestory and vaulted roof of the 

 *14th century. The peculiar tracery of two 14th century windows on 

 the south side was noted, and next the fact that the Norman windows 

 on the north side had been inserted at an unusual elevation on 

 account of the cloisters abutting against the Church on that side. 

 Some antique stalls were also noticed, with quaint carvings on the 

 arms. In the vestry were the remains of the tile pavement of the 

 14th century. The monument to King Athelstan was viewed with 

 interest. The triforium gallery was originally open, but now walled up 

 behind the arcade, this having been done in modern times, probably 

 to keep the Church warmer. The ornamental work in the mouldings 

 of the arches was believed by Mr. Talbot to have been executed at 

 a later period than that of the original building, and peculiarities 

 in the arches and string course above were indicated. The ornaments 

 on the latter had been originally carried out through the whole 

 Church, but at some time a portion had been hacked away, commen- 

 cing, and continuing westward, from the bay over which had been 

 constructed what was believed to be a watching chamber : a place 

 I from which watch could be kept on the treasures of the Church ; 

 though its use was by no means certain. 



Canon Jones remarked that the sacristan always lived upon the 



