Description of the Abbeys of Melrose and Old Melrose, Whith Their Traditions. 3 Ed (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. Excerpt: ...relics and jewels, used by the monks While performing their devotions, at their private and public altars. sented in a small scale, forming a font. Above, on the partition-wall, is the following inscription, in And upon the ground is an ancient grave-stone, with an inscription upon the top, and on the side of it four horse shoes: -+ orate pro anima frat "5 petre. acrarii. O1', --Pray for the soul of brother Peter, the trea surer. How beautiful it is to see such a variety of fine pillars as here presented to the view of the beholder but more especially the two grand pillars which support that quarter of the steeple, whose chapiters are carved in exact imitation of sea-cale; and likewise the multiplicity of ribs or springs in the building, which ascend from the variegated capitals to form an arch, supported with key-stones or knobs, which are adorned with scriptural figures, flowers, and vegetables, like cabbages, embossed in the. finest style. The whole has a very fine effect, and resembles a piece of masterly basket-work, framed by the interweaving of the arches, and the lightness and elegance by which it is wrought. I shall now consider the south trancept, which a popular poet has finely described in the following lines: --By a steel-clenched postern door, The entrance now the chancel tall; The darkened roof rose high aloof On pillars, lofty, and light and small; The key-stones that locked each ribbed aisle, Was a fleur-de-lys, or a quatre-feuille; The corbells were carved grotesque and grim; And the pillars, with clustered shafts so trim, /. With base and with capital flourished around, Seemed bundles of lances which garlands had bound. Sm W. Scorr, Bart. Upon the west side of this trancept there is a door, having a shattered...