ST. ADHELM’S HEAD.

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blocks and fragments of stone. Deep fissures in the upper partof the cliff predict the impending ruin of many places, and theagitation of the sea for above a mile from the shore, shews thenature of its rocky bottom, the remains, no doubt, of land whichhas gradually been covered by the ocean.

The small chapel (PL XLI.) dedicated to St. Adhelm, standsnear the edge of the precipice. Its plan (PL XL1I. fig. 1) is anexact square of about thirty-two feet ; and, from the forms ofthe arches and mouldings, appears to be of very high antiquity.

The doorway (PL XLII. fig. 2) is of the simplest kind ofSaxon architecture, having pilasters and semicircular archesornamented with square studs that are placed at equal distances.Fig. 4, PL XLII, exhibits the mouldings of the doorway on alarger scale.

The cornice surrounding the building is composed simply of afillet supported on one side only by corbels. The ancient roofis so ruined and overgrown with grass that I could not trace itwith certainty: but it must have been pyramidal, and wascovered with thick slates.

Parts of the groins having fallen in, its present proprietor, LordEldon, had directed it to be repaired ; and the workmen whowere employed had just discovered, on the top of the building, acylindrical foundation of three feet in diameter, which had nodoubt been the base of some erection. (PL XLII. fig. 3.)

The inside (PL XLIII.) is extremely simple, yet elegant inits design. In the centre, a square pier, ornamented withpilasters having the angles chamfered, support the ends of fourarches which extend to similar pilasters on the middle of thewalls. These arches are obtusely pointed; they have their