DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20917#0178
148 L AN TH0NY.
the arches are so much deranged, that an imme^
diate fall seems inevitable. Large chasms inter-
seet the tower in every direction ; and some
tremendous gust of wind, rushing through the
valley, will, ere many years elapse, mix its vene-
rable fragments with those now lying in heaps on
the pavements of the ailes, in rough stones, capi-
tals, and mouldings. The East and South sides
are already down; but the West and North arches
are in perfect preseryation, and part of the walls.
I recollect to have observed one arch reduced
to a mere skeleton (I think in the choir) ; which,
having remained when every stone but those sup-
porting it had fallen, is a strong argument in
favour of semicircles in buildings. The South
transept has two lancet-shaped windows, with
circular arches; above them another. The East
wall contains a very large circular arch ; and a
door, half buried by the ruins from the walls.
The North transept is almost destroyed.
The chancel, choir, or chapel of our Lady, is
distinguishable only in fragments of clustered
pillars, and parts of windows. A large ash faces
the high altar, whose roots must penetrate the
ashes of the dead interred before it when the
Abbey flourished.
At the South end of the South transept are two
perfect arches; with delicate groins., and beauti-
ful
the arches are so much deranged, that an imme^
diate fall seems inevitable. Large chasms inter-
seet the tower in every direction ; and some
tremendous gust of wind, rushing through the
valley, will, ere many years elapse, mix its vene-
rable fragments with those now lying in heaps on
the pavements of the ailes, in rough stones, capi-
tals, and mouldings. The East and South sides
are already down; but the West and North arches
are in perfect preseryation, and part of the walls.
I recollect to have observed one arch reduced
to a mere skeleton (I think in the choir) ; which,
having remained when every stone but those sup-
porting it had fallen, is a strong argument in
favour of semicircles in buildings. The South
transept has two lancet-shaped windows, with
circular arches; above them another. The East
wall contains a very large circular arch ; and a
door, half buried by the ruins from the walls.
The North transept is almost destroyed.
The chancel, choir, or chapel of our Lady, is
distinguishable only in fragments of clustered
pillars, and parts of windows. A large ash faces
the high altar, whose roots must penetrate the
ashes of the dead interred before it when the
Abbey flourished.
At the South end of the South transept are two
perfect arches; with delicate groins., and beauti-
ful