MICHAELSTOW tide, except at neap or in wild weather, it may be reached dryshod by means of the causeway, a third of a mile in length. Architecturally, its buildings cannot compare with those of the Norm. St. Michel, but still they are impres- sive ; while the Mount itself is truly the glory of South Cornwall. Sometimes dim and mysterious, sometimes standing clear amid the material realities of noonday, glimpses of stormy light or of sunset brilliance will in a moment trans- figure it to a city of a dream. Milton well speaks of " the great vision of the guarded Mount ". About a mile in circumference, the rock consists of a blend of granite and slate, with veins of quartz. Its older buildings are a mixture of religious and militant. The chapel is chiefly Perp., but has a Dec. doorway. The refectory, now the dining-room, has a repre- sentation of hunting scenes around its plaster cornice. Among the pictures are some very fine Opies. The old stone lantern on the top of the tower is popularly called St. Michael's Chair, with a superstition that the one of a couple that sits here first will obtain the mas- tery ; but the true " chair " is a craggy seat on the western side of the Mount. A small hamlet clusters at the foot. ISIichaehtow (4 m. S. of Camelfbrd) has an old church ; nave Dec, tower and S. aisle Perp. ; the font is Norm. This parish was formerly known as Hellesbury, and includes part of the Manor of Helstone; perhaps Helles- bury was the name of the strong earthwork on 187
