he mitre looking toward a figure on his right, who carries a
tablet or open book with some words upon it.

At either extremity of this panel stands a figure censing the corpse with
a circular thurible.

The border of each compartment is formed by a double invected pattern of
gold and enamel. The ridge-piece is of copper perforated with eight
keyhole ornaments.

The back of the shrine is also divided into two compartments, and is
decorated with quatrefoils.

It is pierced in the middle of the upper border by a keyhole communicating
with a lock on the inside.

The right-hand gable is occupied by the figure of a female saint. The left
gable is occupied by the figure of a male saint.

A border of small gilt quatrefoils on a chocolate ground runs round the
margins of the two ends and four back plates.

Those parts of the copper plates which are not enamelled are gilded, while
the colours used in the enamelling are blue, are light-blue, green,
yellow, red, chocolate, and white.

In the interior, on that side to which the lower front plate corresponds,
is a cross _pattee fitchee_ painted in red upon oak, which oak bears
traces of having been stained with blood or some other liquid. The wood at
the bottom is evidently modern. This reliquary is said to have been
originally placed upon the high altar. It appears to have been preserved
by some ancient Roman Catholic family until it came into the possession of
the late Canon Russell, and bequeathed by him to the authorities of the
cathedral.

The art of enamelling metals appears to have been introduced from
Byzantium through Venice into Western Europe at the close of the tenth
century. After this time Greek artists are known to have visited this
country, and to have carried on a lucrative trade in the manufacture of
sacred vessels, shrines, etc.

*Ancient Gold Rings.* One of pure gold, supposed to have been worn by a
knight templar, was ploughed up near Hereford. The device on the raised
besel is a cross pattee in a square compartment, on each side of which are
a crescent and a triple-thonged scourge.

Within the hoop is engraved in black-letter character "_Sancte Michael_."
Date about 1380.

A massive ring set with a rough ruby of pale colour was found in the tomb
of Bishop Mayew. On each side a bold tan cross with a bell is engraved.
These were originally filled with green enamel. Inside is engraved and
enamelled "Ave Maria."

A superb ring was also found in Bish