320 



The Churches of Devizes. 



The u Hour-glass" appears to have been generally introduced, as in the present 

 instance, in Puritanic times. From the good work, however, found in some 

 of the stands which remain, it seems that they were occasionally employed (for 

 whatever purpose) before the Reformation. Their usual position was on the 

 left hand of the preacher, close to the pulpit. A curious and perfect specimen 

 still remains in Compton Basset Church. The stand is of iron, and is affixed to 

 a rod of the same metal, which projects horizontally from the wall near the 

 pulpit. [This rod is about eighteen inches in length, and evidently corresponds 

 with the " branch" here alluded to]. The stand is made to revolve, and is kept 

 in an upright position by means of a spring attached to the lower side of the 

 rod. In it is the hour-glass itself protected from injury by a frame of wood. 



Their use was to regulate the extempore discourses of the 17th century, which 

 might otherwise have been endless. Though a Puritanic innovation it appears 

 to have long" kept its place : Gay, in one of his pastorals, writes 



"He said that HeaA'en would take her soul, no doubt, 

 And spoke the hour-glass in her praise quite cut." 



And it is represented by the side of the pulpit, in one of Hogarth's paintings. 



It. reed, of those that do sit in the seats that are 



new built and new planked ijli- yiijs. 



(These new seats had been shortly before erected at a cost of 

 £27). 



1624. 22 James I. 



Itm. pd. for Ringing the xxxj July when the King 



came thro' the Town iiip. 



to Ambrose Zealy for mending of the Ringing 



loft and many seats in the Church v s - 



for a horse hire to see the pinacles of the 



Church viijd. 



for working the pinacles in part of payment. . ijli. ijs. 



The following Inventory taken in 1634, [10 Charles I.], will 



serve to show the value of the contents of the church at that date : — 



"An Inventory of the Ornaments, Groods, and Implements in the Parish 

 Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Devizes, at the feast of Easter, 1634, deli- 

 vered by the old Churchwardens John Erwoocl and Henry Maye into the hands 

 of the succeeding ones, John Batt and James Frillies. 



viz : — 



One Comunion Table w th Three Carpetts for the same, A silver Comunion Cup 

 of Silver w th a silver plate to the same, A new Pulpit Cushion and Two other 

 Velvet Cushions, A. Linnen table Cloth for the Comunion Table, a new fringed 

 linnen Napkin, a Surplis, and a bagge to carry the plate. Sixe Churchbookes, 

 viz : — -One Church Bible, the Paraphrase of Erasmus on the New Testam 4 , Two 

 Comunion prayerbookes, a parchment Regist 1 ' and a paper booke for the entring 



