Edward the Confessor, for a centre. In two small circles at the bottom are portcullisses. On either side of the great door the wall is formed by two arches by handsome pillars; the lesser entrances to the aisles are four pillars in depth, with ribbed roofs, and angels on the intersections; over the door are circles inclosing cinquefoils. Above the whole is a range of pierced arches. Four enormous buttresses secure the front; those at the angles terminate in octagons, and connect with the upper part of the walls, over the side aisles, by strong arches.

It is unnecessary to describe the windows, as their shape has been already mentioned. The collonade of arches, and deep recesses have a fine effect, as well as the point of the roof, which is divided into paneled arches, with circles and quatrefoils over them.

All the chapels that project on the north-east and south-east are, in their designs, like the body of the church; those to the north are inclosed by a row of handsome ancient houses; so near "that there is no room left for raising of scaffolds and ladders, nor for a passage for bringing materials." This was the complaint of Sir Christopher. Speaking of the Chapel of St. Mary, it" is so eaten up by our weather, that it begs for some compassion; which, I hope, the Sovereign power will take, since it is the sepulture of the Royal Family."

Such was the wish of a great and scientific architect above a century ago; and such had been the laudable anxiety of every writer of taste and discernment since that period *; and happy

• Mr. Malcolm, whom I am glad here to interrupt in his very accurate delineations, says, "How shall I proceed in my description, now that num. bers of the carvings are mouldered away? However, there is enough left to shew that beautiful octagons, enriched with arches, foliage, badges, and every species of Gothic ornaments, rises between each window, that have been adorned with numerous statues, but whose niches, canopies, and the pinnacles above them, are decayed, in many instances, even to obliteration. Richly pierced arches, in some cases almost shapeless, proceed from them to

the

am I to state that these earnest wishes are now in the fairest way of being soon realized. The work of renovation is now far advanced,

the battered crumbling sides, indented imperfectly, with remnants of equally rich sculpture."

*And Mr. Britton thus sensibly expresses himself on this subject: "In concluding the account and illustrations of this unique, and very sumptuous building, I feel solicitous that the whole may be found deserving the approbation of that Committee of Taste,' under whose judicious and enlightened auspices the chapel is to be renovated, and its exterior walls and embellishments restored to their pristine character and effect. This important task is worthy of an enlightened and affluent nation: and its completion will reflect honour on all the persons who are concerned in it. The Gothic, or Vandalic destroyers of our elegant and interesting buildings, have been repeatedly and justly censured for a disregard of all beauty and grandeur; therefore those persons who engage themselves in protecting or renovating such structures as are ornamental to the country, are entitled to literary praise, and national honour."

"In another place the same industrious antiquary observes, that " if the restoration of the whole building be determined on by the Committee of Taste ; it will be an easy task to have these (the western turrets) re-erected. To restore the upper parapet, with the pinnacles, will not be equally easy ; for at present (1809) no parts of these, or documents for them, have been found. Parallel parts, however will (if necessary) supply the deficiency; and that artist and critic must be devoid of science, taste, and feeling, who would neglect to supply an useful or ornamental compartment in the restoration of an edifice because he could not discover a positive mould or pattern to work from. The man of a mechanical, frigid mind, must never attempt to invent, or go beyond the precise line of precedent: but the man of genius and knowledge only employs that to produce consistency, harmony, and beauty. In the reparation of ancient edifices, and in the restoration of such ornaments as are much mutilated and destroyed, great care should be taken in adapting the new to correspond with the old parts. Every professional man of taste will certainly do this; and as the Chapel of Henry the Seventh is now to undergo a complete external repair, &c. I am convinced that this will be executed with judgment. Mr. James Wyatt, knows the architectural character and peculiarities of the building; and the mason (Mr. Gayfere) is also familiar with all its details, and has recently proved that its most enriched ornaments can be correctly imitated."

Architectural Antiq. p. 50.

vanced, and promises shortly to be perfected; when the Metropolis of Great Britain will have to boast of possessing perhaps the most rich and costly specimen of what is (in this case at least) most absurdly denominated Gothic architecture in Europe. Already it excites the wonder and admiration of every foreigner; and well justifies an observation made to me by the present Emperor of Russia, during his late visit to this country, that we possess the happiest population, and the greatest apparent durability of grandeur of any country in the world.

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The repairs on the south side of the Abbey are still perfect. The chapter house, I think was injudicously placed by the architect, as it hides all the south end of the transept; and it was certainly never sufficiently enriched to make it worthy of the intruder. It is an octagon, protected to the east by a vast pierced buttress, with very large pointed windows, now filled up; they had each one mullion in the shape of the letter Y. Several windows of the common size are made in them, but appear very diminutive by comparison; those could have been introduced for no other reason than to save expence; so far they are to be ferred to the ancient. A very transient and imperfect sight is to be obtained of the front of the transept, and that, from the cloisters only, four huge buttresses support it: between the two western, is a strong, deep, circular arch; strength and durability seem to have been the architect's principal aim. All the buttresses on the south side of the nave, for the length of the cloister, and six in number, have their bases without the walls of the cloister, consequently it is only by their weight that they remain erect, and at the same time support the wall of the church by slender arches, whose insertions are so managed as to send all the pressure downward. This manner of "contriving them," Sir Christopher Wren says, was the work of a " bold, but ignorant architect, and for the purpose of flattering the humour of the monks." How an unobstructed space close against the side of the church could have been otherwise procured, I cannot perceive; but, supposing, it could, I do not see the architect's ig

norance in acting as he has; for I really believe the specific gravity of each mass of abutment to be equal to double the pressure now experienced by it. But as conclusive evidence, he adds, that the walls above the windows were forced out ten inches, and the ribs broken." This I do not deny; but query, what has caused the same derangement directly opposite, on the north side; where, I aver, the wall is actually in a waved line, and where the abutments are firm against the wall? I am afraid that within the cloisters, on every side, from repeated interments, there is no solid support for either walls or abutments. Whether, any settling has occured from this circumstance on both sides of the church, it would be well worth consideration to enquire. The remainder of the buttresses, to the tower, are close to the wall.

Great part

The entrance of the cloisters from Dean's-yard. of the neighbouring walls are of the original buildings; and where our present ideas of convenience have not introduced sashed windows, and other alterations, they bear all the marks of venerable age and decay. I beg to be understood, once for all, not to condemn indiscriminately modern improvements. Though I feel an enthusiastic pleasure in viewing the mouldering doors and casements of autiquity, and praise them: I confess, the present mode of opening and glazing them to be far more comfortable, and therefore more proper.

It cannot be denied that our plans of economy are hostile to large and enriched structures at the present day. It was different with our ancestors; they certainly did sacrifice comfort to splendour. Witness the vast halls in their mansions, which it is im possible ever could have been warm; with elevated windows never more than partially opened: thus retaining in them the bumid vapours continually floating in our atmosphere from August to March.

To deny that our castles and baronial residences, our abbeys and cathedrals, and many of the ancient parish churches, were grand, lasting, and sublime, is impossible; and to assert that

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