Page:County Churches of Cornwall.djvu/89

 THE CHURCHES OF CORNWALL 63 amalgam of old work. Lectern is composed of various old fragments, mainly of 3 misericord seats. Font a grand example of late Norm, on large scale, 3 ft. 7 high, and diameter 3 ft. 5 J in. Circular bowl with squared rim supported by central shaft, and 4 corner shafts with angels' heads as capitals ; vigorous carving of bowl shows foliage on two sides and on other sides knotted serpents. Font unfortunately disfigured by lofty but clumsily designed oak cover presented in 1881 ; a font of this date and style requires a mere flat cover. The 3 piscinas of chancel and its chapels are most diverse and noteworthy ; that of N. chapel is a simple square drain projecting like a bracket, with no niche over it ; that of high altar has small rounded niche in S. respond ; whilst that of S. chapel is a detached octagonal shaft, with 8 foiled depression in capital, and like number of drain holes round central boss. The boss of this last piscina is pierced with a slit, for by a ridiculous device this shaft was long used as an alms-box, and stood by the font. On N. side of chancel is a most excellently carved 16th cent, tomb and effigy in dark Catacleuse stone. It is to the memory of Thomas Vy vyan, a renowned prior of Bodmin, and titular Bishop of Megara. Inscription records his death in 1533. The effigy depicts him in episcopal vestments, with mitre and pastoral staff. Round the tomb, treated after a Renaissance fashion, are the arms of Bodmin