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as its base. The greater base1 is 22 inches, diminishing to 21; the lesser 16 inches, and 12 only at the top: the shaft 14 feet high. To this a cross 2 appears to have been added, the socket of which is observable. It is unfortunate that the side of the Column containing two figures and the principal inscription, faces to the west, from which quarter the wind and rain are most frequent. The lower figure seems to have been mutilated by accident or intent; but the remainder seems to have suffered only by exposure to the weather. Some parts of [118] the inscription [d], probably owing to the stone being there softer, have been more affected than the rest. The third, fourth, and fifth lines, are the most perfect. Towards the lower part scarce anything is to be made out. On the whole, indeed, little more than the vestiges of this inscription remain; the perpendicular parts of the letters are discernible, and have probably been deepened by the rain, but the horizontal and other parts, are nearly obliterated. In taking the inscription I followed the same plan as at Bridekirk, working the paper in with the finger, and afterwards following the finger at the edges of every part of the letters with the pencil, so that, in the paper I send, you have all that can be either seen or felt of this inscription.

3

The north inscription of one line only [e], being completely sheltered by the church, has suffered very little injury from time; and, I must say, that the difference observable in the engravings given to the public, must have arisen from want of attention and

exactness.

On the south side there is a fillet 4 like that to the north [f], but a few letters only can be made out, the rest are chipped off or worn away.

I request you, my dear Sir, to present to the Society the original tracery of these inscriptions taken by me on the spot.

I have the honour to remain,

Your faithful humble servant,

HENRY HOWARD.

Corby Castle, Carlisle,

April 16, 1801.

[d] See Pl. XXXIV. fig. 2. [e] Ibid. fig. 3.

[f] Ibid. fig. I

X. LYSONS' MAGNA BRITANNIA, 1816.

[The account of the Lysons (4. cxcix-cci) reposes largely upon Nicolson. Only a few sentences are here reproduced. The plate occupies two quarto pages, and is accordingly much reduced in our facsimile. The second N of the runic CYNNBURUG, on the north side, is imperfect, and resembles a vertical stroke, with a dot at the right.]

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Several very inaccurate figures of it have been published. It is of one stone, 14 feet 6 inches high, 20 inches in width at the bottom, and 14 inches at the top on the north and south sides; and 22 inches at the bottom, and 16 at the top, on the east and west sides. At the top is a socket 8 by 7 inches, in which no doubt a cross has formerly been fixed. [cc] Over this is another figure sculptured in basrelief, which, from the nimbus round the head, has been supposed to represent some saint; but as he holds a roll (the sacred volumen) in his left hand, and the right hand is elevated in the act of benediction, we should rather suppose it was intended for our Saviour, who is frequently so represented in ancient works of art. Immediately above this figure are some faint traces of another inscription of two lines; and over this, a third sculpture in bas-relief, which is described by Bishop Nicolson as 'the effigies of the B. V. with the Babe in her arms, and both their heads encircled with glories.' This description, which several succeeding writers appear to have copied, without inspecting the original, is very erroneous. The female figure is so defaced that nothing more than the general outline can be distinguished; what she holds in her left arm is much better preserved,

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and is evidently the holy lamb.1 ... Imme[cci]diately above the lowest knot on the south side was a Runic inscription of one line, now so nearly obliterated, that except in a very favourable light, hardly a stroke can be distinctly made out.

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