The daily gazette., 1875-07-29
BATH CATHEDRAL.
The Last Cathedral That Was
Butt in England.

Bath Cathedral is interesting as be
Ing the last cathedral built in England
The west end is very sumptuous. Tho
doorway of the grand entrance was
given ia 1917 by Sir Henry Montague
brother of the bishop. 1t Is charged
with the arms of the See, impaling
those of Montague, ,and round the shield
runs the device of the Garter. Under
the two other shields, which are those
OF Montague alone, is a liable with the
inscription, "Eccs guam, Jonatza ct oataDa
5acandama," etc. (''Behold how Joyful
ahd pleasant thing it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity.') Above
the shields is profile helmet, with q
grlft1n'S head for \ crest, and behind q
flowing mantle. The arch is square
headed, and the spandrels are filed
with labels enclosing wounded hearts,
crowns of thorns, and pierced hands
and feet. On each side Of the doorway.
N inches, stand statues of st. Peter
and ut, Paul. Under the frat is a
blended white and red rose crown :
under st. Paul, crowns and portcul.
lis. In the battlement cornices above
Is vacant niche, once, probably, filled
by st. Peter or Henry VII. tp the
two sioe turrets of the great west win
dow run two ladders which the angels
Of Bishop Olive King are ascending.
Below, on either side of the ladders
stand figures Of shepherds, with illeei,
BILE labels close above their heads. On
each side of the upper part of the lad
ders are ak .canopied figures of the
Apostles, among which st. John and
st. Andrew only have been- preserved
In their integrity. Above the great
sheet of glass arc rows of kneeling an.
gels, who represent the heavenly choir
above. On the central and topmost
niche is mutilated statue; and below
the arms OF the See and the supporters
to the arms Of Henry VII, holding the
white and red roses and royal crown
There are also still visible two shields.
surmounted by q cardinals cap, prob.
ably those of Adrian de CASTILLO, who
vaulted the choir.
The aisle buttresses are ornamepted
with scrolls now illegible, and small
arched heads with crowns, from the
rays of which spring olive trees; over
these are bishops mitres. On the
mullions of the windows are statues
OF Ola and Edgar. The one restored
Oha's monastery, while the others
gave charter to Bath. The figures
stand on. emblazoned pedestals. Over
the head of statute of our Saviour
is a griffin. Above. on a window, is
the inscription "Domus mea," and
over another Is the words "Domus
orationis."
The interior of the abbey Is singular
and very beautiful, with Its fifty-two
and its great range of light
and fragile stone work. The nave is
later work than the choir, and was.
rebuilt by Bishop Montague.
The roof Is very fiat. Thelitt chapel
of Prior Bird, (1525 mass of crochet
'racery, has been ruthlessly cut down
% make room for the cumbrous Bish. |
Dps throne. The gorgeous tomb of |
he generous Bishop Montague, with
Is pontihcal effigy, adorns the north
'entre OF the nave. Corinthian pillars
It the head and feet support an enta.
lulature, and it is crowned above with
he Bishops escutcheon. From the
lueleus where the transept, nave and
;hoir unite, springs the massive tower,
49, <suhNbSo oheA nlAty-kWO Ie6C ulQu, Il
md crowned with perforated battle.
nents that looked much like petrlfled
ace work.
In this noble abbey repose knights
nd beaux, George III. doctors and |
,arons of the Tudor times. Under
he well.trodden floor repose the mas.
!ueraders of all centuries, waiting for
he last trumpet-abbots and fine la.
!ies,. friends of DR.. johnson and |
aarrick, and stern monks who oppose
ings and beat down the sword with
be crozier. Dainty misses, who swarm
bout the bath with floating trays for
'osegay and snuff-box, and demure
!uns OF the early English period; gen
lemen who were not admitted to the
ew assembly-rooms in boots, the
oung misses who were not allowed
0 dance minuets without lappets or in ,
prons, lie beside early English barons
nd lady prioresses-"Dust to dust"
and "All is vanity" written large
on many q tomb.-AH tie Year
,0anQ