DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0117
ancient stone crosses.
77
HI. who was Duke of Gloucester, and a great benefactor to the city. A statue of
this monarch, with seven others, occupied as many canopied niches in the second
story. This building was called the High Cross, and stood at the intersection of
four principal streets, It was of an octangular shape, divided into two compart-
ments, with a sort of castellated top, and crowned with a globe and a cross. In
consequence of an act of parliament, which passed in 1749, for widening and im-
proving the streets of this city, the present, with some other ancient buildings, were
then taken down. A drawing of the cross was made in 1750, by Thomas Rickets,
and engraved by G. Vertue,for the Society of Antiquaries, from which the annexed
view has been copied. It was thirty-four feet and a half high.
Cross at Cheddar, Somersetshire. This shattered edifice appears to have
been constructed at two different periods ; as the central column constitutes one of
those crosses which had merely a single shaft raised on steps. The lateral piers,
with the roof, were probably erected at a later period, to shelter those persons who
frequented the market. Bishop Joceline obtained a charter in the 19th of Henry
III. to hold a weekly market here : but this has been discontinued some years. The
present cross is of an hexagonal shape, has an embattled parapet, and the upper
Part of the shaft is ornamented with a sort of sculptured bandage.
Cheddar, which is about eight miles north-west of Wells, and two east of
Axbridge, is celebrated for its stupendous cliffs. These are formed by a singular
chasm, through the Mendip Hills, and appear to have originated in some great con-
vulsion of nature ; when the mountains shook to their foundations, and the cragged
rocks split asunder. The artist, botanist, and mineralogist will find, in this ro-
mantic spot, many scenes to interest his fancy, and subjects to gratify his cunosrty :
for the cliffs present, at every turn through the winding chasm, many singularly
Picturesque appearances : and various curious fossils, minerals, and plants, are to be
found in the crevices of the rocks, and dispersed over the mountains. In many
Places the cliffs are nearly three hundred feet in perpendicular height: "some
terminating in bold pinnacles, others in irregular fragments like shattered battle-
ments of vast castles, and others inclining as if about to crush the spectator as he
Passes under. Yews pr oject out of the several fissures, forming lofty canopies of a
solemn shade ; many rocks wear long mantles of ivy, which have the most picturesque
and beautiful appearance, compared with the craggy nakedness of the others. The
scenery varies continually, and to catch all its sublime effects, it is necessary to
77
HI. who was Duke of Gloucester, and a great benefactor to the city. A statue of
this monarch, with seven others, occupied as many canopied niches in the second
story. This building was called the High Cross, and stood at the intersection of
four principal streets, It was of an octangular shape, divided into two compart-
ments, with a sort of castellated top, and crowned with a globe and a cross. In
consequence of an act of parliament, which passed in 1749, for widening and im-
proving the streets of this city, the present, with some other ancient buildings, were
then taken down. A drawing of the cross was made in 1750, by Thomas Rickets,
and engraved by G. Vertue,for the Society of Antiquaries, from which the annexed
view has been copied. It was thirty-four feet and a half high.
Cross at Cheddar, Somersetshire. This shattered edifice appears to have
been constructed at two different periods ; as the central column constitutes one of
those crosses which had merely a single shaft raised on steps. The lateral piers,
with the roof, were probably erected at a later period, to shelter those persons who
frequented the market. Bishop Joceline obtained a charter in the 19th of Henry
III. to hold a weekly market here : but this has been discontinued some years. The
present cross is of an hexagonal shape, has an embattled parapet, and the upper
Part of the shaft is ornamented with a sort of sculptured bandage.
Cheddar, which is about eight miles north-west of Wells, and two east of
Axbridge, is celebrated for its stupendous cliffs. These are formed by a singular
chasm, through the Mendip Hills, and appear to have originated in some great con-
vulsion of nature ; when the mountains shook to their foundations, and the cragged
rocks split asunder. The artist, botanist, and mineralogist will find, in this ro-
mantic spot, many scenes to interest his fancy, and subjects to gratify his cunosrty :
for the cliffs present, at every turn through the winding chasm, many singularly
Picturesque appearances : and various curious fossils, minerals, and plants, are to be
found in the crevices of the rocks, and dispersed over the mountains. In many
Places the cliffs are nearly three hundred feet in perpendicular height: "some
terminating in bold pinnacles, others in irregular fragments like shattered battle-
ments of vast castles, and others inclining as if about to crush the spectator as he
Passes under. Yews pr oject out of the several fissures, forming lofty canopies of a
solemn shade ; many rocks wear long mantles of ivy, which have the most picturesque
and beautiful appearance, compared with the craggy nakedness of the others. The
scenery varies continually, and to catch all its sublime effects, it is necessary to