Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 8.djvu/392

 384

NOTES AND QUERIES. [ii s. VIL MAY 17, 1913.

are composed each at the distal end of an outer end stone about 3 ft. wide, of two side stones or monoliths placed on edge, and measuring up to 8 ft. in length, and of an entrance at the proximal end. This entrance consists of a pair of upright pillar stones, one at each side, measuring 18 in. to 24 in. across, and standing within, and partly overlapped by, the large side stones. Sometimes at the base of the pillar stones, and stretching between them, is a flat slab, sill, or step, and sometimes traces of a low wall built of smaller stones. In no case is this end closed by a single large end stone. Between the proximal ends of these tangential cists, and running out at right angles to them, is the third or radial cist of the tritaph. It is formed by two pairs of small side stones, 1 ft. to 2 ft. across, and in all cases is open at its distal end, where in some instances there are a fewsteps formed of rough slabs, leading down from the surface of the ground to the floor. No gateway is present in the radial cists, which thus differ con- stantly in several points of structure of sides and of both ends from the tangential cists. The average size of the tangential cist is 5 ft. 9 in. by 2 ft. 8 in., and of the radial cists 7ft. by 2ft. Sin. The floor, at a depth of 18 in. to 24 in. below the present surface, showed in all cases indica- tions of a pavement of flat stones, on the average about 1 ft. across and 1 in. to 2 in. thick. The burials were evidently all by cremation, 2 to 5 urns being deposited in each tangential cist, or in the proximal ends of the radials. The stones, from the large monoliths to the small gate-posts and floor- stones, are of the grey clay slate of which the mountain is formed.

A plan, view, and full account of this remarkable stone circle, of interest to archaeo- logists not only in the United Kingdom, but all over the world, may be seen in ' Illustrated Notes on Manx Antiquities,' by P. M. C. Kermode, F.S.A. (Scot.), and W. A. Herd- man, D.Sc., F.R.S., obtainable at the Port Erin Biological Station in the district.

WILLIAM MACABTHUB,

Dublin.

RAVENS AT THE TOWEB. Recent notices concerning * Lions at the Tower ' remind me that a few months ago, when gazing at the place of execution at the Tower, a raven came hopping up to me, looking the very embodiment of the spirit of the grim spot. On my making inquiries an attend- ant informed me that there are four ravens kept there. Two are comparatively recent

arrivals, but my friend was a very ancient inhabitant. If I remember aright, forty- two years was said to be the known period of his stay in the Tower, and rumour credited him with a much longer residence.

The subject seems one worthy of note in your columns, and if some authoritative statement were made therein, it might be of more than passing interest.

WlLMOT COBFIELD.

SANCTUS BELL AT ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBBIDGE. At Hall in St. John's College, Cambridge, on St. Mark's Day, Prof. Liveing, President of the College, informed the writer that from 1846 to 1860 the College bell was rung at the Sanctus when- ever the Holy Communion was celebrated ; at the latter date he ceased to reside in College.

This interesting survival of a pre-Reforma- tion custom to the middle of the nineteenth century seems worthy of record.

G. F. MATTINSON. Aldworth Vicarage, Reading.

GEOBGE WHITEFIELD'S SCHOOLDAYS. Whitefield in his ' Short Account of God's Dealings,' used by Tyerman and others as the authority for his early life, says :

" When I was about twelve, I was placed at a school called St. Mary de Crypt, in Gloucester the last grammar school I ever went to."

With the exception of a reference in a book published locally (' Memories of the College School, Gloucester,' by F. Hannam-Clark, Gloucester, 1890), which is repeated in the article on ' Schools ' in * The Victoria History of Gloucestershire,' vol. ii., no mention of Whitefield's attending any other school seems to be recorded. Whitefield was born 16 Dec., 1714, so it would be in 1726 when he was admitted to St. Mary Crypt Grammar School ; but, unfortunately for the School and posterity, there are no records extant of the earlier days of this ancient foundation, or the exact date of his entry might have been ascertained.

His first school was the College (or King's) School, Gloucester, for, through the kind- ness of the present head master, the Rev. O. E. Hayden, I have had access to the School Register, which dates from 1684. Under the year 1725 (i.e., 1725/6) is the entry :

Georgius Whitfield ann : 11 Jan". 10 Dom : Elizabeths Whitfield vid : Glou : films.

Whitefield at this date would have just turned 11, and the coincidence of the entry with his own Christian name, age, and his