Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/333

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AM) WAVSIDK CUOSSES. 309 ill a more suitable position, by the consideration of the present vicar of St. Clement's, near Truro, in the precincts of whose vicarage this memorial of other days has remained from time it of mind. It is here repre- sented hi its old position of a gate post ; let the reader ima- gine the crooks and gate re- moved, with the adjoining wall which abuts upon it, and he will have a true notion of the present state of this venerable stone. The inscription, which is in true Roman letters, is still very legible, and it will be observed, in accordance with the usual rule, it is read downwards. The cross with which it is sur- mounted, or rather which is cut upon the head of this stone, is a simple one encircled in a border. AVe know not who Isnioc was or his father Torricus, no records remain to tell where and when they lived ; all that we n-ather from this monument is, that Isnioc was a Chris- tian, and probably that he lived, if not earlier, during the fifth century of our era. AVe pass now to the period when the Romans having de- parted to their own proper country, left these their acquired territories unprotected, and in an enervated state, a prey to ra})acious neighbours ; while the Picts attacked, and the Britons, by the assistance of the Saxons, repelled their in- vasion&j this western ])art of Britain seems to have remained in peace. Missionary bishops and priests, and other holy persons, came hither at this time from Ireland, (now "the university of northern Europe,") and they came not in vain. With few exce])tions it appears that they and their message were well received, for almost every parish in AVest Cornwall, and a great many villages, still retain the names of these lieralds of the Cross, and in some instances the primitive .structures which tlic^v erected for the service of (Jod, still VOL. IV. c ^ St. Clement's.