The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-08-20

window, YOU find nave. choir and
vault simply q maiestic study IN mel
lowed and subdued gray. The tire
mendous proportions OF the columns-
they are twelve feet in diameter, the
distance between them or the inter
columniation being only about two
diameterB Of the columns are so great
that there is not, break in their line
ON either side, save midway along the
southern tier where stands bishop
Wykeham's noble chantry and tomb,
through the entire length OF nave and
choir, the greatest Of any cathedral in
England.
The nave columns and nault and the
choir seem to focus in one far, high,
tremulous film Of light in the upper
visible portion. Of the east window,
above the marble altar screen. The
space is SO vast, the proportions SO per
feet, the old Norman work 80 splendid
in its massive simplicity, even where
modified by transition and early Eng
lish work, the admission Of light SO
equable, that even the dark oaken
choir screen sinks into place and depth
Of color only in lower lifting shadow,
even serving 10 strengthen tile effect OF
the marvellous altar white bathed in
the east windows mellowed rose.
Clearly the distinguishing features OF
Winchester cathedral arc structural
yastness, massiveness, simplicity and
repose. Strongest marked in features
Of detail are over-ornamontation OF the
Lady Chapel, particularly in the vim
dows; the bold and airy flying but
tresses that stretch over the side aisles,
supporting the upper aisles; the rich
open battlement surmounting these
walls; the unusual chamber Of tribune
erected for minstrela in ancient times
over the western extremity of the north
aisle; the shortness. vastness and
solidity Of the great tower; and the lo-
cation of the latter Immediately over
the choir, instead of over the space APP
proaching IL, as in most other cathe-
drals.
The cathedral is tho richest in chan
tries and chapels Of any / have ever
seen. Their great number and mar
yelous richness OF ornamentation are
accentuated from the massiyeness and
simplicity OF their structural surround
ings. Historically no sacred edifice in
cLlRlhUu Cdu pOAst huClA WobAth VI tAOtts7
ure, If it may be so regarded, in the
mortuary remains Of ancient kings and
prclates. The tomb of William Rufus
Is in the center of the choir. Upon the
top OF tho huge sanctuary screens are
six mortuary chests. In one lie the.
bones OF Kynegils and Adulphus. In
another rest Kings Egbert and Kenulph.
A third holds tho bones OF Rufus, Ca
mute, Queen Emma, who trod the nine
heated ploughshares unscathed, and
of Bishops Wilma and Alwyn., A
fourth is a 'promiscuous" collection Of
what was left of the remains OF kings,
princes and prelates after the sacrelig-
ious barbarism OF the year 1912. In a
fifth reposes king Edmund, and in the
sixth lies Edred. ''who admirably gov
erned the country Of the Britons."
Hosts more there are OF later greatness
and glory. But amid all these splendid
chantries, cenotaphs and tombs there 10
lust one spot in Winchester cathedral
where love to sit and muse and
dream. That is in Prior Silkstede's
chapel. There the southern sunlight,
tiltering through the tiny colored panes
of the ancient windows, seems to leave
glow and blessing upon the slab that
covers the grave OF gentle 1ssac Walton.
EDGAR i. WAKEMAN.