43 



present church, built upon the site of the old Abbey, at a time when 

 the Norman style of architecture was at its perfection. 



The stately character of the building, its massive walls, the 

 thickness and solidarity of the piers, together with the exquisite 

 sense of proportion and usefulness, are all ideally Norman. The 

 two great east windows are 14th century work. The unusual size 

 of the triforium arches was commented on. The clerestory showed 

 a transition from pure Norman in the chancel to Early English at 

 the west end. The chancel aisles are remarkable, being square 

 externally, but apsidal inside. The party saw some interesting 

 relics of the Ambulatory, in a glass case — the Romsey Psalmster, a 

 MS. Book of the Psalms and Canticles, &c, written at Romsey 

 about 1440, and a head of auburn hair, found in a much corroded 

 coffin beneath the Abbesses' door. 



Externally, one of the most interesting features was the 

 " Corbel Table," which runs all round the building above the 

 windows — the corbels, carved into every kind of fantastic device, 

 excited much attention. The magnificent proportions of the triple 

 lancet (Early English) windows at the west end were also much 

 admired. 



Many of the members then spent the rest of the day inspecting 

 in detail the many noteworthy features of the Abbey. A small 

 number paid a visit to Broadlands, close by, the residence of the 

 Right Hon. Wilfred Ashley, M. P., who kindly gave them permission 

 to inspect his beautitul park and gardens. In the lake in the 

 Japanese Garden some interesting microscopical specimens were 

 found, and are described under the Microscopical Section. 



Visit to O n September 15th, a party of 24 members 



Glastonbury. journeyed to Glastonbury, under the conductor- 

 ship of Drs. Crallan and Thomas. This is in 

 the country referred to by Tennyson as 



Deep-meadow'd, happy, fair with orchard lawns 

 And bowery hollows crown'd with summer sea. 



On arriving by rail a visit was paid to the excellent local 

 museum, which contains a fine collection of antiquities and geo- 

 logical specimens, as well as a library of rare books. Among the 

 numerous exhibits were the relics of prehistoric man found by Mr. 

 Bulleid in Godney Marsh, close to the town. These included a 

 very good specimen of a prehistoric dug-out canoe, about 18 feet 

 long. One could not help reflecting that here is a small town of 

 5,000 inhabitants, which has its well-equipped museum of antiquities 

 and natural history, supported, too, by the municipal authorities — 

 while here in Bournemouth, with its 60,000 inhabitants, nothing of 

 the sort exists ! Verb. sap. 



Proceeding to the Abbey grounds, the party were met by Mr. 

 F. Bligh Bond, f.r.i.b.a., who kindly acted as guide to the ruins of 

 the churches formerly existing here. This gentleman is not only a 



