Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/399

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.
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to convert the two western bays of it and of the north aisle into a chapel, which I was informed was to be used in future for the performance of the burial service. All the walls of the church, then standing, all the pillars, all the windows with their mullions, with the exception of the wall at the west end under the bell-gable, were in perfectly sound condition, very good in their masonry, quite vertical, without any symptoms of decay. The only part of the church that seemed weak was that part which the workmen were then converting into a chapel. The roof which had been taken off was good, and the timber had been purchased by a gentleman in the neighbourhood to use in the repairs of his house, and were of excellent oak (commonly called chesnut.)

"Now, it may be asked, why should this church have been demolished: was it ruinous? Certainly not: £200 or £300 at the outside would have rebuilt the west end and reshingled the roof. Was it too small? apparently not; for the new church built to replace it does not occupy a greater area. The new church built on a spot about a mile distant, is of most barbarous pseudo-Norman design: of stout execution apparently, but not stouter than the old edifice, and it has been erected at a cost of upwards of £600.

"Many of the details of the old church were exceedingly valuable; there were several stones bearing armorial shields; the font was a very remarkable one, and it lies in the part now converted into a chapel: there was a famous stone kept in the old church to which one of the most interesting legends of the country was attached. Fortunately I was able to measure and carefully delineate every portion of the edifice as it then remained.

"The church of Llanedwen in the grounds of Plas Newydd, (the Marquis of Anglesey's,) a building in perfectly good condition, and of high interest from various circumstances attending it, is also threatened with demolition.

"The church of Llanvihangel Esgeifiog, one of the most curious churches in the island, (of the early Perpendicular period,) of beautiful details, and quite large enough for the parish, has been abandoned, because the roofs of the south transept and part of the central aisle want repair. About £300 would restore this church completely, a new one will cost from £000 to £700. It is said that it is to be pulled down shortly, and a new one built in another part of the parish.

"The churches of Llechylched and Ceirchiog, as well as the church of Llaneugraid (the latter one of the earliest and most valuable relics of the island) have been abandoned for some time past; their windows are mostly beaten in, without glass, and they serve only as habitations for birds, which frequent them in flocks. Service is performed in them only for burials, the inhabitants go for worship to other neighbouring churches."

An abstract of Mr. Jones's letter was ordered to be forwarded to the Bishop of Bangor, and to the Archdeacon of Bangor.

My. Smith read a communication from Mr. George K. Blyth, of North Walsham, on some Roman remains recently discovered at about three miles from that town.

"Some labourers on the farm of Mrs. Seaman, of Felmingham Hall, Norfolk, were carting sand from a hill, when part of the sand caved in and exposed to view an earthen vase or urn, of a similar shape to the annexed, covered with another of the same form, but coarser earth; the top urn or cover had a ring-handle at the top, within were several bronze or brass figures, ornaments, c.; the