the chancel, which, with the mutilated clearstory window above (before mentioned), shows that the nave and chancel were not quite contemporaneous.

The date 1511 is cut into the south-west wall of the chancel about a foot above the ground. Some archæologists pronounce this date to be spurious, exception being taken to the formation of the figure 5: an examination will show that it is not the work of an idle scratcher, but is exceedingly well and deeply cut. A break in the coursing of the masonry may be noted on the eastern wall of the chancel below the east window, showing indications of a blocked-up doorway. There is a doorway leading from the altar at Sefton Church into a vestry built out beyond the eastern wall of the chancel, which is in exactly the same position as this blocked-up door at Standish. Some difference. is observable in the eastern walls of the north and south aisles, the wall of the north aisle being "stepped" and carried higher to its junction with the nave wall than the corresponding wall of the south aisle. The porch and priests' doorways and the north doorway (now blocked up) are all of Perpendicular character, with square hood mouldings and carved spandrels.

THE CHURCH (INTERIOR).

Entering by the south porch, which has an oak ceiling with parvise above, a small niche 7 inches by 7 may be noticed in the west wall about 5 feet from the floor. It is of similar design to the piscina in the chancel and Standish Chapel, and appears to be a very unusual feature in Lancashire churches. I have not yet met with any one who can satisfactorily explain what use it has served. The door of the parvise is over the south door of the Church, and there is now no means of access to it except by a ladder.

Standish Church has an interior of great beauty,

its faultless proportion, height, and absence of unnecessary detail giving supreme dignity, and it is to be hoped that no fads of parochial authorities will ever be allowed to destroy or mar its charm. It was restored in 1859, when the gallery on the north side was removed, benches substituted for the old pews, and the wallscleanedandpointed. The illustration shows a view of the interior drawn by the Rev. William Price previous to this restoration, and it is obvious that the structural alterations then made were fortunately few and unimportant.

From the absence of any monuments, tombs, tablets, or brasses of an earlier date than 1582, it seems probable that the rebuilders of that date made a clean sweep of all such relics, with one exception. This exception is a sepulchral slab, now hidden beneath the platform upon which the reading desk stands. It

bears an incised effigy of Maud Chesenale, wife of

Robert de Chesenale; the date has been obliterated, but it is attributed to the fourteenth century. The family seat of the Chesenales was Chisnal Hall in Coppull, now a farmhouse, which was their residence from the thirteenth century to the death of Sir Edward Chesenale in the seventeenth century.

The limits of this paper prevent me describing the monuments and tablets contained in Standish Church, memorials of local and important parish-` ioners who have, since the days of Elizabeth, worshipped within its walls; these, with the interesting heraldry they display, would suffice for a separate note.

Longtree Chapel.

One most interesting fact brought to light by the Standish Charters is the former existence of a Longtree Chapel. First we meet with a reference to the Chaplain of Gilbert de Longtre, dated 1383-4.

"A release from Hugh de Standish and Thomas Lighlesden Chaplain to Gilbert de Longtre of the manor of Longtre (Deed No. 347)."

Following this, under date 1566–7, is—

"An order from Wm. Chadderton, Bishop of Chester, for examining witnesses on a dispute amongst the parishioners of Standish in the name of John Adlington and Gilbert Longtre, concerning a chapel or chancel in Standish Church called Longtre Chapel."

Again, in 1583-4

"A letter from to Edward Standish desiring him to permit Mr. Longtre to erect a chapel within the churchyard of Standish, and as the advowson of the Church was solely his, requested him to oblige the present incumbent and his successors not to disturb the quiet possession of Mr. Langtre."

Now, at the present time not even a tradition exists at Standish of this chapel so far as I have been able to ascertain, and I have searched the books and documents at Chester without being able