Additional Remarks on tlw

the mantle-tree has given way to a modern chimney-piece; not by removal or abolition, but by inclofure in a fhelf over the fire- place, removable at the pleafure of antiquaries. By this alteration the principal parts are preferred, though the new wainfcot trenches a little on the tops of the characters, and entirely conceals the head of the dragon, and the rofes finial. Nothing has been cut or bro- ken off the figures, nor is any material part concealed, as the in- clofed fac fimile will convince you. But you are to obferve that the figure under W. R. is meant for the dragon, who is placed at the head of the whole; though not being eflential to the infcription, is here introduced merely to mew how much of him is concealed. And for the fame reafon the compartments of rofes are omitted. " Mr. RuiTell, the prefent incumbent, whofe name is not like the fuppofed maker of the Parfonage mantle, William but John, is well aware of the curiofity he poffefTes, and not deficient in atten- tion to the few who think it an object of inquiry, nor infenfible to the poffibility of its being of lefs antiquity than is generally pre- fumed, though he wimes to be convinced of the contrary propo- fition. He has a copy of Dr.Wallis's account of it in MS. The reclory houfe fhews no particular mark of antiquity in the ftyle or building, being a fubftantial ftructure of the ftone of the country, like many of its neighbours, and not calculated to contain five or fix children. How to make Anno Domini out of the two firft com- partments rather puzzles me. I fubmit the third to you." Sufpicious as I was that the mantle-tree plate might have been embellimed by the burin of the engraver, I mull own I did not ex- peel: to find that the original was fo rude a piece of fculpture ; and it is in this refpecl:, and in this only, that it can have had any preten- fion to the very high antiquity imputed to it. One muft conclude it to have been the workmanfhip of a country joiner, not capable with chifel or with pen of forming a correct figure or letter ; and obvious