<g>Refectory</g>, a spacious hall, in which the brethren, as already described, sat at table. The _Lectern_, or pulpit-desk, at which a reader presided during meals, is still visible about the middle of the west side. From the refectory, a tourniquet-door, for the passage of viands only, communicated with the <g>kitchen</g>; and close to this is the _dole_, where the indigent and wayfaring poor were daily supplied with victuals and refreshments. The kitchen runs parallel with the cloisters, and the west entrance of the church, along the public road leading to the ferry. The Scale annexed to the Plan of the Abbey--as shown by the woodcut--will enable the reader to ascertain, with tolerable accuracy, the dimensions of all the compartments named. [Illustration: 1 Doorway leading into the <g>Cloisters</g>. 2 <g>Effigies</g> of Abbots--the brasses removed. 3 Door leading into the Vestiary and Sacristy. 4 The <g>Chapter-house</g>--bases of pillars. 5 Supposed <g>Hospitium</g>, or Guest-Hall--bases of central pillars. 6 Buildings, with dormitories in the upper floor. 7 The <g>Lectern</g>, or Reading-Desk, during meals. 8 Tesselated <g>pavement</g>, lately discovered. 9 <g>Staircase</g> leading to the Triforia, and top of the abbey. 10 Aperture for serving the dishes from the kitchen. 11 <g>Dole</g>, for the distribution of food to the poor. Proportions.--Length of Chancel and Nave, 228 feet. Length of Transepts across, 150 “ Height of the Tower Arches, 70 “ Height of the lesser Arches, 30 “ ] As a specimen of the marvellous connected with these ruins, we cannot resist introducing another characteristic <g>Legend.</g>--A party of gentlemen--_horresco referens_--who had inspected the abbey, employed several labourers to dig in the orchard adjoining, in hopes of discovering some antiquities. Part of one day and the following night were spent in this employment, when at last they were successful, and two human skeletons were discovered. Next day the same party resolved to celebrate their discovery by a dinner in the abbey. But scarcely had they commenced their sacrilegious repast, when a thick darkness overspread the horizon; deep thunder raised its tremendous voice, and shook the surrounding hills; lightnings flashed [Illustration: _Tintern Abbey._ West Front.] throughout the ruin in sheets of livid flame; hail, succeeded by torrents of rain, deluged the plain, and “Peal on peal Crashed horrible, convulsing earth and heaven!”