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tion. The choir rises superior to the nave in 'magnificence and beauty. The roofing displays more tracery: an elegant kind of festoonwork depends from the capitals of the pillars whence the vaulting springs: through every part is seen a greater profusion of ornament: the whole exhibiting a nearer approach to the highly florid style, which prevailed before the end of the fifteenth century. The windows of this part of the edifice shed their richly-varied light through numerous figures of kings, prelates, saints, escutcheons, and representations of sacred story; while those of the small transepts are remarkable for their height and elegance, reaching almost to the roof, and being divided into an hundred and eight compartments, each of which contains some device suggested by holy writ. But the grand east window is perhaps unrivalled in the world, for beauty, splendour, and magnitude. Separated into upwards of two hundred compartments, these filled with representations of the Supreme Being, of monarchs, mitred priests, saints, and the principal events recorded in the sacred scriptures→→ the effect produced by the whole must be witnessed in order to be in any degree appreciated.

Nor must we omit a more particular mention of the cross aisle; affording, as it does, a noble

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specimen of the style of architecture prevailing in the latter part of the reign of Henry the Third. The circular arch, at that time not entirely laid aside, appears in the upper part, enclosing others of the pointed form. pillars supporting the larger arches are of an angular shape, encompassed by slender columns a little detached; and the rich leafy capitals of all the columns unite to form a foliated wreath round the head of the pillar. The windows are long, narrow, and pointed; consisting of a single light, or divided into several by unramified mullions, and variously decorated on the sides by slender free-stone or marble shafts. Between the upper arches appear the quatre-feuille and cinque-feuille ornaments, afterwards transferred to the windows, and there forming the first steps towards the beautiful work which decorates those of the nave and choir. The architecture of the north and south transepts is in a similar style.

Our notice of this interesting building, must close with a brief mention of the Chapter-house; a structure, as magnificent as singular in its kind. It is an octagon, whose diameter is sixtythree feet, and its height nearly sixty-eight. This large space is uninterrupted by a pillar, the entire roof depending upon a single pin geometrically placed in the centre. The stalls for the ca

nons, ranged along the sides, are highly finished in stone; and the curiously wrought canopies are supported by small and elegant columns of the finest marble. The sides of the octagon, with the exception of that by which is the entrance from the north transept, are each adorned with a window, rich in stone-work and figured glass, rising from just above the stalls, and reaching to the roof.-All here is alike airy, noble, and elegant.-So well does this portion of the grand cathedral of York, merit the eulogium bestowed upon it by the monkish legend:

"Ut Rosa flos florum,

"Sic est domus ista domorum.
THE CHIEF OF HOUSES,

AS THE ROSE OF FLOWERS.

OXFORD.

Would Clio seek the most distinguished seat,
Most blest, where all is so sublimely blest,
That with superior grace o'erlooks the rest,
Like a rich gem in circling gold enshrined,
Where Isis' waters wind

Along the sweetest shore,

That ever felt fair Culture's hands,

Or Spring's embroidered mantle wore,-
Lo! where majestic OXFORD stands!

WARTON.

THE poet scarcely indulges in his allowed and legitimate license in this description. 0xFORD, that city of palaces, delightfully seated on a gentle elevation, in the area of an amphitheatre of hills, presents a grand and interesting spectacle, from whichever of the neighbouring heights the spectator regards it. Its spires, its towers, and various public edifices, display the triumph of learning with a magnificence grateful to every beholder; while the rivers Isis and Charwell, encompassing it on three sides, ornament and enrich the circumjacent valley with meadows of the most luxuriant character, and the hills themselves stand as a wall to the city of the Muses, to ward from it every blast

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Pub by J Poole N°8 Newgate Street Oct 10 1824.

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