The Eighth General Meeting. 



243 



these views Mr. Cunningfcm gave his adherence, and proceeded to 

 state his reasons, which were confirmed by the general opinion of 

 the meeting. 



The Chairman now called on Mr. Alexander of Westrop House, 

 to explain some well executed tracings of the figure of St. Dunstan, 

 and inscriptions found on the walls of Highworth Church ; and the 

 meeting then separated, most of the company adjourning to the 

 Museum, where they again inspected the many interesting objects 

 collected there. 



FRIDAY. 



The excursionists, in nearly the same number, and as nearly as 

 possible in the same order, left Shaftesbury this morning punctually 

 at half-past nine, Stourhead being the principal attraction for to- 

 day. They halted first at Motcombe Church, where the only object 

 of interest is a rude stone slab, let into the wall over the porch , 

 charged with a rude recumbent crowned figure, said to be that of 

 Nebuchadnezzar devouring grass, but whether it is so or not is not 

 very evident. Hence crossing the valley towards Mere, they turned 

 aside to visit the interesting old house of Woodlands, which was 

 courteously thrown open to inspection, by its occupier, Mr. Jupe. 

 The old chapel, converted into a sitting room, with the tracery of 

 its windows remarkably perfect; a dark dungeon, and other relics 

 of antiquity are still to be seen at this excellent specimen of a 

 dwelling-house of old times. In the venerable Church at Mere, the 

 principal points for notice are the profusion of old carved oak in 

 the panels and ends of the open seats; the rich and beautiful 

 carved oak screens; the font, the ancient monumental brasses, one 

 bearing date 1398; the other 1430; and the Grove Chapel. From 

 Mere, and halting at Zeals House, where they were kindly received 

 by Mrs. Grove, the party proceeded to Stourhead. Here they 

 spent two hours in viewing the pictures and works of art, and in 

 wandering through the beautiful pleasure grounds, but more espe- 

 cially in examining with minute attention the famous archaeologi- 

 cal collections of the late Sir Richard Colt Hoare, the urns, stone 



