Cambrian Archæological Society.

a castle proper , answering to tho keep of the larger Norman fortress . The usual outer Avails , enclosing the ballia , are not to be discovered , and the presence of the moat immediately surrounding tho keep is sufficient to raise a doubt of there ever having been any . AVe must not , howeA'er , disregard the eA'idcnce of Leland and Careiv on this . matter . Borlaso ' s plan of the castle is defective in cularsand correct lan

many parti , a more p , drawn to scale by Mr . Polsue , is in tho possession of this institution , and an engraving of which , accompanied by a full description of the castle , may hereafter be contributed to its reports . Tho Aviudows are dilapidated ; the ashlar masonry , " the fa 3 'i * e free hewed stone ivyndoAves , the durnes and ht dorepostesthe fayre and large

wroug , chymnie pieces and all that would yield monie or serve for use , having been , " says Norden , " converted to private men's purposes . " Lostwithiel was next visited . Concerning the Duchyhouse , Mr . Couch said it was an oblong massive structure , flanked by substantial graduated buttresses , and ornamented by thc ducal arms . It is generally built of

the slate of the neighbourhood without ashlar . The arches are mostly serai-circular , and constructed of thin lamina } of slate . This apparently friable material has been able to resist the action of time and the elements in consequence of the admirable mortar used . I have heard ifc popularly ascribed to the practice of pouring the newly-slaked and fluid lime into the insterstices of

the masonry , when it becomes more durable even than the stone itself . This is equally observable in Restormel Castle . In the southern gable is a horse-shoe arch . This building is probably the exchequer , or shire hall , built by Edmund the Earl . Attached to this is a prison , which has been used , within memory , for the confinement of offenders against tho stannary laivs . The general plan of the church of Lostwithiel ivas a nave and clerestoy , ivith north and south aisles separated from the nave by arcades of octagonal pillars and pointed arches , a north

and south porch , and a spire at the western end . The most noticeable part of the structure is the spire , which rises from a square shaft by handsome octagonal lanthorn-Avork of early English character ( the style prevailing Avhon the toAvnwas at its highest point of prosperity ) , and cuds in a finial cross . The shaft or body is unnecessarily plastered , Avhich detracts from the beauty of

the Avhole , and is quite unnecessary , as , where the plaster has Mien off , good masonry appears underneath . The Ai'indows are of different dates , but the plan is generally early English . Internally die church has little of interest- architecturally . It suffered greatly at the hands of thc parliamentary troops in the campaign of 1644 , AA-hen the toAvn and castle Avere ied bEssex . The

occup y interesting diarist , Richard Symonds , gives an account of their blowing up the church , by gunpoAvder , on the eve of their flying before the A'ictorious forces of Charles . The church contains , besides numerous monuments of local interest , an octagonal font , covered with a strange mixture of sacred and grotesque sculpture ; the crucifixion , in juxtaposition wifch a sportsman , hawk on wrist ;

a mitred head next to a representation ofthe chase . Over the northern entrance , where it has been placed for safe keeping , is an alto relievo in alabaster , of the flaying of St . Bartholomew , the patron saint of the church . ' It has been coloured recently , but we believe only in restoration of the original . In the north aisle is a brass of the fifteenth century , representing Tristram Ourfcys , in coat

of mail and spurred . Professor Babingtem then offered a feiv remarks upon the excursion . Ho said that , in the" church at Bodmin , his attention had been attracted to the monument of Prior Vyvyan , ivhich Avas remarkable from the fact that the inscription was not only incised , but further , was filled up with a material , apparently originally soft , Avhich had IIOAV become hard and stood out in relief , the relief existing , fco a considerable extent , to the present time . He did nofc remember that he had ever before snen snnh

an instance . In the Town Hall there AA'ere seen several pieces of plate and municipal ornaments , maces , and so on ; and among them , ivhat attracted his attention more than anything else , the seal matrix of a Leper House , formerly existing in the neighbourhood , and impressions of which ivere shown to him . It Avas a very curious seal , and he thought might well deserve to be engraved , either

by thc Cambrian Association or tho Eoyal Institution of Cornwall . Thc house at Llanhydrock was not very ancient—it was not mediasval , and did nofc possess the interest which attached to mediaaval houses . It was built iu tho time of Charles I ., at different periods ; it Avas a good example of a house of that period on a large scale . It contained a fine galleryas was usuall

very , y found in houses of that date , and he remarked that the Aviudows on the side- of this gallery Avere opposite each other . It had been stated by a great authority that usually the wiudoivs in such galleries Avere not placed opposite each other , bufc alternated , and various reasons had been assigned for such an arrangement , but none

that he could think satisfactory . 'At all events it was worth notice , that in this instance afc Llanhydrock the AvindoAvs did not alternate . In the churchyard at Llanhydrock Avas a cross of some interest , aud also a well with stone roof ; probably in ancient times the Avell had considerable reputation : at present its sole reputation was that it possessed exceedingly good water .

Mr . G-. T . Clarke , F . S . A ., then read a paper upon the Castellated Architecture of Wales , Avhich was a very valuable one , and was well received . On Wednesday , the party proceeded to Carnhra , and down tho river Fid , inspecting fche antiquities and fine vieivs Avith considerable interest . A conversazione was held iu tho eveningat which Mr . E . A . Freeman read an

, excellent paper upon the Ecclesiastical Architecture ol Wales , Avhich Avas profusely illustrated by architectural drawings . After she company had partaken of refreshments , the Rev . F . C . Hingeston read an interesting paper on the churches of Cornwall . Mr . Parker afterwards referred to the domestic architecture of Cornwall .

On Thursday , tho party went to St . Michael's Mount . After inspecting the castle and mount , they proceeded towards Land ' s End . On Friday , thc members of the Association , accompanied by several ladies , proceeded by carriage to a village called Chysautor , Avhich is a remarkable specimen of the stone hut dwellings of the ancient Britons . Several

other places of interest ivere visited , and the party were entertained on reaching Chun Castle , with a short address by Professor Simpson , upon its historical features . This ancient castle is a circular fort of dry stone walls , in two almost complete circles , thc diameter of the space enclosed being aboufc loOfc . The external walls are of strong masonry , of great beauty in execution and detail ;

and it is considered to he a most ; formidable fortress . In a short congratulatory address , Mr . Hussey Vivian said he hoped the landowners on Avhose ground these ancient remains Avere situated , Avould do all in their power to preserve them from destruction , so that the relics ofthe past , for which Cornwall AA'as so distinguished , Avould not be for ever lost to the Avorld . The curious Men

Scryfa , or written stone , supposed to be a sepulchral monument , erected in the fifth century of the Christian era , AA'as next visited . Other objects of equal interest were also' visited , and the party returned to Truro , and after dinner , adjourned to the council chamber , were several speeches ivere given , and tAVO interesting read

papers . On Saturday , an excursion was made to St . PiranS Round and Lost Church , and a visit to the churches of St . Clement and St . Mary , and the museum of the Eoyal Institution of Cornwall . Au evening meeting Ill-ought the proceedings of this very successful congress to a termination .