The San Francisco call., 1897-03-07

colors. In the center of the nave we see
the four massive Norman arches, in which
stood the old lantern tower. which gave
light to the choir at a time when glass was
the luxury and extravaganza OF kings.
The Rood screen, carved like an Italian
bridge, separates the nave from the choir.
The great Rood, a figure of Christ on the
cross, used to stand just over the screen,
and here the monks celebrated the m ass at
midnight. To this day the lessons are read
from the top of the Rood screen.
1t has been said that Christchurch is
the only example in England OF MIN
ster choir remaining absolutely untouched
III all Its quaintness and beauty. The choir
stalls are very curious and the wood
carver OF that day must have been allowed
more latitude than his present-day broth
ers. Age lends richness and dignity to
even the most vulgar design, and 1T is only
after close inspectlon that we discover the
subjects of the splendid carved chairs. A
sailor in nightcap, having hand-to-
hand battle with goose, who has stolen
hisdinner; a hungry dog gnawjng bone;
clown with swollen face; monk at
prayers, while a cur makes away with his
NAhhSi hoA pfCdCAliS W eAS NSSS~ "h1N
the animation of these cackling geese
speaks we'll for the arts OF the mendlcant
friars 10 whom the carving has been at
tributed.
The chief Jewel in the crown of Christ
church is the reredos, the arrangements OF
the high altar, marvel of archaic carv-
ing. What it must have been eight CEN
turies ago, with its images of silver and
the gleam of its golden vessels, with the
priests in gorgeous vestments and the
light of a hundred candles, all this we can
only imagine.
Next to it is the chapel of the il-fated
Countess Of Salisbury. The verger mur-
murs how they dragged her from the
chapel, poor old woman, and threatened
her with instant death unless she would
divulge the hiding place of her son, Car
dinal Pole; how thew mulilated and de-
faced the beautiful chapel and plundered
it of its ornaments; and. finally, they be-
headed the poor Countess in the Tower
of London. And this was the Reforma-
ton!
Next to the chapel is a little stone
ham Der, with no entrance to the church
but an opening large enough for man
to thrust in his hand. There was special
grant for the lepers of the parish, and that
fund is now divided for the benefit OF the
deserving poor. 1t was into this closed
stone cell that they marched, at certain
hour when the road was cleared for them,
with the sound of their desolating cry
warning their fellow-men. The priest
han led in the wafer through that tiny
opening, and before the end OF the service
they went forth again through black
arch with an iron door.
1t is great temptation 10 linger in the
quaint old church; perhaps there is hardly
a finer Norman tower than this, with its
bold circular staircase, its splendid arcade,
with its fourteen divisions so wonderfully
wreathed. one within the other and orna-
mented with intricate Roman inter
lacings, lretwork of stone. There is the
lady chapel and the old missal-room, full
of grinning and grotesque gargoyles, and
the crypt, that was discovered in this
century packed solid with human bones.
1t is with quite the proper little shudder
that we leave this gloomy little subter-
ranean chamber and pass out into the