the decorations, canopy, etc. In describing it he appears to copy Bering's remarks verbatim, and had probably seen our manuscript; for, in another place he refers to Records "in possession of a gentleman whose ancestors filled a high office in Dover Castle." From which we may gather that he had been allowed access to the Surrenden muniments. He also gives the result of researches made in 1776, when the gravestone was exhumed, and displayed the extent of its original ornamentation, by the number and variety of its chasings. This stone, he says, was erroneously described by Weaver as of marble, whereas it was of a coarse grit, full of marine petrifactions. No doubt Weaver meant the favourite Bethersden marble, so extensively used in early periods in our county. So little regard was paid to these remains, that, although at a greater depth another large stone was found covering a slightly plastered grave, in which a few bones still remained, the soldiers were permitted to break up this venerable relic, and to use it for various purposes. 
   The drawing will show the original condition of this beautiful brass, and is, I believe, the only record of it, in its perfect state, now extant. This Sir Robert Astone was son of Sir Robert of Ashton-under-Line, and filled many honourable offices, such as Admiral of the Narrow Seas, Justice of Ireland, Treasurer of the Exchequer, and Chamberlain to Edward III., by whom he was also appointed to be an Executor of his Will. At the foot of the tracing of the brass, Bering notes thus:—" On a flatte gravestone, right before the high altar, this figure and inscription to Sr Robert Astone;" and below that, this note:—"The circumscription of the great bell heere, and weighing 3000lb. weight,—and which was the gift of that Sr Robert Astone,—hath every letter fayre and curiously cast, and each crowned with a ducal crown.—'Dominus Robertas de Astone, miles, me fecit fieri, A.