Page:Cornwall (Salmon).djvu/184

CORNWALL devoted masses of carved granite that he had prepared for his own residence to this and other churches (such as Linkinhorne) ; and their original purpose may explain part of the gro- tesqueness — though ecclesiastical adornment was itself often grotesque enough. His arms, those of the Ashes of Devon, appear on the S. porch, whose niche has been denuded of its image ; on one side of this niche is St. George, on the other St. Martin. The Good Samaritan and Balaam also figure on this front. A line of panelled shields encircles the whole building, just above the plinth ; in each shield is a letter, the whole consisting of the following sentences: Ave Maria, gracia plena ! Dominus tecum. Sponsus amat sponsum. Maria optimam partem elegit. O quam terrib'ilis ac nietuendus est locus iste ! Vere aliud noti est hie nisi domus Dei et porta celt. In common mediaeval fashion Mary Magdalene is thus identified with Mary the sister of Lazarus. At the eastern front is a figure of the Magdalene, together with minstrels and their quaint instruments ; and, considering the local superstition that a year's luck will follow whoever can deposit a stone on the saint's back, it is surprising that this part of the church is so well preserved. Boys are fond enough of throwing stones at images, without any special inducement. The tower, which is the oldest part of the building, stands apart, connected by a vestry ; it is almost certain that Trecarel intended also to rebuild this, as his design is manifestly incomplete. It is supposed 154