CORNWALL These traces are of the building erected by Prior Vyvyan of Bodmin, whose arms may be seen in one of the old windows. Built into a wall is a stone bearing a rude Latin inscription, which has been deciphered as Bonemenwrl filti tribuni ; other readings have been given. A local guide-book speaks of an ancient well here as having been " removed and re-erected " else- where, but ultimately restored. It is difficult to see how a well could be removed and re- erected, but probably the reference is to the oratory above the well. Roche { m. S. of Victoria Station) has a restored church, chiefly notable for its Norm, font, said to have been saved from destruction in Puritan days by being covered with plaster. There is also a good cross here. But Roche is more famous for its rocks, an outlying spur of Hensbarrow Beacon. They lie a little S. of the church, and rise to a height of 680 ft. On this huge mass of schorl rock a hermit built his cell. Though dedicated, like many hill- chapels, to St. Michael, tradition connects this hermitage with the name of St. Roche himself; but more than one holy man occupied the cell at different times. One of these is said to have been troubled by the visits of the doomed Tregeagle, who, pursued by the fiends that had hindered his labour at Dozmary Pool, thrust his head through the window of the chapel, and so gained sanctuary. His howls disturbed the saint and others who came here to worship ; and at last, by priestly influence, he was led 226
