Evidence tends to prove that these dials are of Saxon and Norman times, and I venture to think from their divisions that in many cases, although found on Norman buildings, they tend to show that Saxon ideas continued to exist in many things in spite of Norman influence. It would take many generations at that period of the history of our country to supplant in remote districts a recognised form of dial, and although the Norman method of recording time was more accurate, doubtless it was but gradually adopted. The Saxons used the simple dial so long in vogue amongst the hardy Northmen or Vikings, who, being a maritime race, founded their divisions of time on the ebb and flow of the tide. First, the four tides, two high tides and two low; then, further improving this, they subdivided these divisions again into halves and quarters, thus making the day and night equal to sixteen hours. In this country there exist many of their dials, and some are very noteworthy. There is an ancient dial built upside down into the wall of the church in the village of Byland in the Hambleton Hills, which is thought to have been made by a Dane in the ninth century. It bears the inscription:— “SVMARLETHAN HVSCARL—ME FECIT.” (Sumarlethi’s House Carl made me.) Over the south door of Weaverthorpe Church, Yorkshire, there is a similar dial, only it is divided into twelve parts, every alternate line being crossed. It has an inscription:— “In Honore see Andreae Apostoli Herebertus Wintonie Hoc Monasterium Fecit in Tempore Regn——” The unfinished name is thought to be that of Reginald II., to whom in 942 King Edmund stood godfather. A remarkably fine dial of about 1064 exists over the south door of the ancient church at Kirkdale, and bears a long inscription, which, being translated, reads:— “Orm, Gamal’s son, bought S. Gregory’s Monastery when it was all utterly broken and fallen, and he let it to be made anew from the ground, to Christ and S. Gregory, in Edward’s day, the King; and in Tosti’s day, the Earl. This is the day’s sun-marker, at every tide, and Hawarth me made and Brand Provost.” Another early dial exists over the church door at Bishopstone in Sussex. It bears the inscription “Eadric,” and as a prince of the South Saxons of this name lived A.D. 685, it is thought that this is its likely date. It was whilst gazing at an ancient dial which I had discovered that the following motto occurred to me:— “The age of this dial, who can compute it; So hazard no guess for man to refute it.” Still, in spite of my couplet, I made notes in my book as to the discovery of another Saxon horologe. Such is the nature of the keen archæologist that he feels obliged to put dates to every find of importance, although oft-times a more learned brother will dispel by argument and proof very quickly his most sure convictions.