Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/247

 INFLICTED IN PUNISHMENT OF SACRILEGE. 189 Danes, and tlicir skins nailed to tlie doors ; upon which some gentlemen, being curions, went thither, and found a sort of tanned skin thicker than parchment, which is supposed to be human skin, nailed to the door of the said church, underneath the said iron-work, some of which skin is still to be seen." Mr. Bayley added, " Since writing the above I have heard that what remained of the skin was removed about four years ago. I hear, however, of two pieces m this neighbourhood, and if I can succeed in procming cither of them, I will for- ward it to you." This obliging promise was fulfilled on the ensuing day. The fragment had been taken by a carpenter in the parish from underneath the iron-work of the door, about the year 1843, when the church was under repair. Pie gave it to a Mr. Eley, a miller at Copford, from whom it was procured by Mr. Bayley. The issue of the third appeal to the discriminating judg- ment of Mr. Quekett proved likewise conclusive. His answer was this : "I am happy to tell you that I have succeeded in making out the Copford specimen to be human, as well as the others ; I have shewn the hairs from this as well as from the others to some friends who were sceptical, but they are now quite of my opinion. I have had drawings made, and I desired the artist to draw a human hair by the side of the others, so that there can be no doubt of the identity of the hair. T must ask you to allow me to mention the subject at oiu" Microscopical Society, to shew how valuable the micro- scope is in determining doubtful points of this nature." The value of natural science as a friendly ally to archa3ology in supplying conclusive evidence on a question Avhich must, without such aid, have been left to vague conjecture, has been strikingly shewn in the present instance. The singular cor- roboration of the truth of popular tradition, thus undeniably established, may serve to remind us that no circumstance, however apparently trivial or absurd, is without utility in the investigation of the history and usages of ancient times. Having an opportunity of stating these facts to Lord Rray- brookc, he had the kindness to communicate the following curious. passage from Pepys' Diary, taken from the highly valuable additions which liavc been made by his lordship in the recently published edition of those remarkable memoirs. " April 10, IGGl. To Rochester, and there saw the cathe- dral observing the great doors of the church, as they VOL. V. " c c