service than was felt by the reviled monkish priesthood, or whether the public, who are so commonly accused from the pulpit of indifference to their religious duties, are likely to become more strict observers of them, whilst the richly endowed hierarchy of England allow the venerable religious fabrics to fall to decay, may be a proper subject for consideration of the dignitaries of our church."

The Cathedral Church of Wells, as it now remains, is not only one of the most perfect in its original plan, designed in the early part of the reign of Henry III., but its appendages are more complete than those of any other cathedral in the kingdom. It is this general harmony of the surrounding buildings that renders the effect, on first view, particularly striking. The late C. A. Stothard, an artist of extraordinary talent and application in delineating the monumental antiquities of his country, writes thus from Wells :-" The Cathedral, with its various surrounding gates, the magnificent close, and the west front covered with figures of the finest workmanship, certainly must bear the palm from all others."

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The close, called the liberty of St. Andrew, from its western side, presents a scene in perfect harmony with a painter's feelings; a broad lawn extends round the northern front of the church to the beautiful chapter house, whence an ornamental gallery of communication is carried over an arch to the vicars' college, a large ancient quadrangle, having a hall and chapel at its northern and southern extremities. On this side of the Cathedral Church is also the deanery, a mansion in which Dean Gunthorp, who rebuilt it, is said to have entertained King Henry VII., on his return from the west country. In allusion to the name of Gunthorp several large guns are carved on the house. On the southern front of the Cathedral are the cloisters, larger than those of Salisbury, and the bishop's palace, originally built by Bishop John de Villula, surrounded by an embattled wall and moat; the area of the palace occupies nearly seven acres of ground; but both the hall and chapel have been suffered to become dilapidated.

The western front of the Cathedral occupies a space of one hundred and fifty feet in length, including the boldly projecting buttresses of the large towers, which rise to the height of not less 6 Page 65.

7 Memoirs of C. A. Stothard.