dow was set up in the year 1735, and is very curious; to the left of which, in a less window, is a painting of one of our kings (supposed of Edward the Confessor); but the colours being of a water blue, no particular face can be distinguished. In the window, on the other side the great window, it is conjectured, from accurate drawings, lately taken, that the figure represents Edward the Black Prince. The three windows at the east end contain each two figures. In the left window, the first figure reprsents our Saviour, the second the Virgin Mary, the third Edward the Confessor, the fourth St. John the Baptist, the fifth St. Augustin, and the sixth Melitus, Bishop of London, in the right-hand window. The beautiful north window was put up in the year 1722, and represents our Saviour, the Twelve Apostles, and Four Evangelists; the latter, with their emblems, lay down two on each side.

The length of this church. from east to west, is 375 feet, measuring from the steps of Henry the Seventh's chapel; from north to south, the length is 200 feet. The width of the nave and side-aisles is 75 feet. The height from the pavement of the nave to the inner roof is 101 feet. From the choir pavement to the roof of the lantern, is about 140 feet high.

Having now pointed out what is accounted most worthy of observation' in the construction of this ancient Abbey; both without and within it, we shall next say a word or two of

HENRY

HENRY SEVENTH'S CHAPEL.

This wonder of the world, as it well may be styled, is adorned without with sixteen Gothic towers, beautifully ornamented with admirable ingenuity, and jutting from the building in different angles. It is situated on the east of the Abbey, to which it is so neatly joined, that at a superficial view, it appears to be one and the same building. It is enlightened by a double range of windows, that throw the light into such a happy disposition, as at once to please the eye, and inspire reverence. An author, some years ago, hath very highly, and yet not undeservedly, expressed the beauty of this chapel in the following words:" It is the admiration of the universe; such inimitable perfection appears in every part of the whole composure, which looks so far exceeding human excellence, , that it appears knit together by the fingers of angels, pursuant to the direction of Omnipo

tence.

The ascent to the inside of this chapel is from the east end of the Abbey, by steps of black marble, under a stately portico, which leads to the gates opening to the body, or nave, of the chapel. Before you enter, you may observe a door. on each hand, opening into the side-aisles, for it is composed of a nave and side-aisles, every way answering the plan of a cathedral. The gates by which you enter the nave, are well worth your observation; they are of brass, most curiously wrought in the manner of frame-work, having in every other panel a rose and portcullis alternately. Being entered, your eye will naturally be directed to the lofty ceiling, which is in stone, wrought with such astonishing variety of figures, as no description can reach. The stalls are of brown wainscot, with Gothic canopies, most beautifully carved, as are

the

The

the seats, with strange devices, which nothing on wood is now equal to. The pavement is of black and white marble, done at the charge of Dr. Killigrew, once Prebendary of this Abbey, as appears by two inscriptions, one on a plate of brass, infixed in the rise towards the founder's tomb, the other cut in the pavement. The east view from the entrance presents you with the brass chapel and tomb of the founder; and round it, where the east end forms a semicircle, are the chapels of the Dukes of Buckingham and Richmond. The side-aisles were open to the nave at the east end, on each side the founder's tomb; and at the east end of the south aisle is the royal vault; and of the other, the monuments of the murdered Princes. walls, as well of the nave as of the south aisles, are wrought into the most curious figures imaginable, and contain 120 large statues of Patriarchs, Saints, Martyrs, and Confessors, placed in niches, under which are angels supporting imperial crowns, besides innumerable small ones, all of them esteemed so curious, that the best masters have travelled from abroad to copy them. The windows, which are 14 in the upper, and 19 in the lower range, including the side-aisles and portico, were formerly of painted or diapered glass, having in every pane a white rose, the badge of Lancaster, or an , the I, initial letter of the founder's name, and portcullises, the badge of the Beauforts crowned, of which a few only are now remaining. In the upper window, east end, King Henry VII. is represented in stained glass. The roof is flattish, and is supported on arches between the nave and side-aisles, which turn upon twelve stately Gothic pillars, curiously adorned with figures, fruitage, and foliage. The length of this chapel within is 99 feet, the breadth 66, and the height 54.

And here we cannot omit taking notice of a most beautiful

beautiful window, that was designed for this chapel. It was made by order of the magistrates of Dort, in Holland, and designed by them as a present to Henry VII.; but that monarch dying before it was finished, it was set up in Waltham Abbey, where it remained till the dissolution of that monastery, when it was removed to New-Hall, in Essex, then in possession of General Monk, and by him preserved during the civil wars. Some years ago John Olmius, Esq. the then possessor of NewHall, sold it to Mr. Conyers of Copt-Hall, who resold it to the inhabitants of St. Margaret's parish, in 1758, for 400 guineas; and it now adorns St. Margaret's church. Thus has it arrived near to the place for which it was originally intended, but is never likely to reach it. The grand subject is that of our Saviour's crucifixion; but there are many subordinate figures: those at the bottom of the two side-panels represent Henry VII. and his Queen, and were taken from the original pictures sent to Dort for that purpose. Over the King is the figure of St. George, and above that a white rose and a red one, Over the figure of the Queen stands that of St. Catherine, of Alexandria; and in a panel over her head appears a pomegranate, vert, in a field of or, the arms of the kingdom of Grenada.

To view the whole of the Abbey, Monuments, and Wax Figures, the charge is threepence at first entrance, and one shilling afterwards, for each person. To be viewed from nine o'clock in the morning till six o'clock in the evening, every day (except Sundays, Good Friday, and Christmasday), by entering at the Poet's Corner door, which is opposite the House of Lords.

OF THE TOMBS AND OTHER MONUMENTS IN THE SEVERAL CHAPELS.

The names of the several chapels, beginning

from

from the south cross, and so passing round to the north cross, are in order, as follows:-1. St. Benedict; 2. St. Edmund; 3. St. Nicholas; 4. Henry VII.; 5. St. Paul; 6. St. John the Baptist; 7. Islip's Chapel; 8. St. John the Evangelist; 9. St. Michael; and 10. St. Andrew. The three last are now laid together. Besides the above, the chapel of Edward the Confessor stands, as it were, in the centre, and, as has been said, is enclosed in the body of the church.

OF THE CHAPEL OF ST. BENEDICT.

In the Chapel of St. Benedict, you are shewn an ancient tomb of free-stone, railed with iron on the side next the area, having formerly a canopy of wood, now quite demolished and broken away, on which lies the effigy of Archbishop Langham, who, as the Latin epitaph round his tomb sets forth, was Monk, Prior, and Abbot of this Abbey; afterwards elected Bishop of London; but Ely being then also vacant, he made choice of that see; that he was Primate and Chancellor of England; Priest-cardinal, afterwards Bishop-cardinal of Preneste, and Nuncio from the Pope; and that he died on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen, in the year 1376, on whose soul God have mercy, and grant him the joys of Heaven for the merits of Christ!"-Next is a stately and curious monument of black and white marble, on which are two images in a cumbent posture, representing an ancient nobleman in his robes, with his lady. This monument was erected in memory of Lyonel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, by his relict Lady Anne. The Latin inscription on this monument is to this effect:

"Sacred to the memory of Lyonel Lord Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, who by that discerning Prince, King James I. being called to Court, was

for