The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-25

LONDON, Sept. Is.-Thousands Of persons
mass within the doors OF Westminster
Abbey every year, but few OF them are
privileged to see all that Ia worth seeing
in the famous ediflce. The object OF this
paper Ii to enlighten some OF those towhom
Westminster Abbey is dear by describing
some OF the less known parts of the building.
First Of all, then, let us proceed down.
stairs below the floor itself OF the great
church The Abbey, unlike York Minister
and Worcester Cathedral, does not possess
a very extensive crypt, but that which does
exist is Of a most interesting character
It is situated Immediately beneath the
beautiful chapter house and 1t is entered
from Poets' Corner. When you have first
descended the uneven flight of steps which
leads down to It, you can for some time dis
tinguish scarcely. anything in the deep
darkness. Then you are at length able to
make out the existence of a massive COL
umn in the centre of the building, which
happens to be circular. and from this COL
umn there spring number Of vaulting ribs,
which after while you begin to realize
are very beautiful.
Then you notice that In this massive
Central pillar and also in the walls OF the
orypt there are number Of curious square
holee. There Is authentic evidence to
shov that the regain and crown jewels were
kent In this strong room once upon a time,
and It Ia supposed that the holes we're util-
lied for storing money.
Be this as it may. q burglary took place
here in the reign OF Edward 1. No end OF
treasure was surreptitiously made away
with by certain members OF the monastio
body. The heavy hand Of 'the greatest
Of the Plantagenets" fell upon Abbot and
monks alike, with the result that no less
than forty-eight Of them were arrested and
confined on suspicion in the Tower OF Lon
don.
The crypt ceases to have any special
history after that. 1t is great curiosity
among the other wonders of the Abbey,
but it is many generations since IT has been
employed for any specific purpose.
Let us proceed by an extremely abrupt
transition from the cellar OF the Abbey
to the roof. visit to the triforium OF the
Abbey is revelation.
Until you get to the top Of the long flight OF
stairs which leads to this great gallery run
ming practically all round the building, 1t Ia
impossible for you to have an adequate con-
oeption OF the immense size OF the church.
When you are once safely In the triforium
YOU find yourself in a gallery, the breadth
OF which is not much less than that OF many
a street.
Immediately below the triforium IN the
south transept and above portion OF the
cloisters is one of the most interesting rooms
in the Abbey, and, indeed. in all London.
It il known as the imminent room and
was originally the scriptorium OF the monks.
It opens on to the Abbey through the lofty
arches Of the south transept and for CEN
turtles past it has been the most jealousy
guarded place in the entire fabric.
Here is kept roll after roll. consisting OF
priceless charters and other records. What
the actual number OF these documents Is,
probably no one really knows; but their
historical value and interest is great. Some
time ago Dr. Scott, chief Of the manuscript
department in the British Museum told
the writer that there was scarcely single
great name in English history which he
had not come across in these rolls. They
date from the eighth century down to the
present time, and they have not been class
flied.
By the courtesy Of the Dean and Chapter
Of the Abbey some Of the more famous of
the Abbey's literary possessions have been