The customary time for visitations was once in every three years; but in the cases where the diocesan was visitor the period was not unfrequently deferred; though sometimes, in cases of delinquency, repeated at much shorter intervals. The object of the visit was twofold--namely, to ascertain the temporal as well as the spiritual and moral conditions of the house. The former was a most important part of the inquiry, for not only were houses taught to be as far as possible self-contained, but in the days when funded property was almost unknown, the very existence of the house depended upon the condition of its pasturage and tillage, and the amount of cattle, grain, and general stores for the sustaining of life. The visitor was received with peculiar honour, met at the gates in procession, and conducted to church and chapter-house. In addition to the usual services, the Bishop preached a sermon in the chapter-house to the inmates, and his secretary often entered the text in the brief entry of the visitation made in the episcopal register--possibly with a view to check the Bishop giving the like discourse on the next occasion. The Bishop, with whom was generally associated some diocesan official as assessor, began the visitation by asking for a report from the superior as to the general condition of the house, both temporal and spiritual, and as to the conduct of the inmates. Then the obedientiaries, or those who held office, were called before him in due gradation, each one being specially questioned as to the affairs of his own office. After this each religious inmate, novices as well as the professed, was called up in turn before the visitor, the examination being always conducted severally and separately, so that the communication might be unchecked and frank. All were expected to be absolutely open in their declarations without fear or favour, and to conceal no evil of any kind of which they were aware. Meanwhile the Bishop’s secretary took notes of the evidence given by each. Where everything seemed going smoothly, and there was no reason to suspect any hidden mischief, the visitor sometimes allowed inmate after inmate merely to testify his _Omnia bene_, or that all was well; on the contrary, the questions became searching if there appeared to be any attempt at concealment. It was difficult under such a system, not only for scandals to escape, but even for the milder forms of disorder or laxity to avoid detection.