184 DR. GILLY ON NORHAM CHURCH AND CHURCHYARD. 



tals : — the great arch between the nave and chancel, twenty 

 feet nine inches high, and thirteen feet six inches, with its 

 rich mouldings and clustered pillars, are majestic remains of 

 the 12th century. The late improvements, which removed 

 the plaster from the walls, and the ceiling from the timber 

 roof, and exposed part of the zigzag string above the arches, 

 together with the mouldings of the arches, enable the spec- 

 tator to gaze upon some of the very forms and proportions 

 on which the eyes of Edward I. and his barons rested, nearly 

 600 years ago, when they insulted Heaven in this church, 

 with prayers for the success of their iniquitous invasion of 

 Scotland. 



A handsome font, carved after an antique model by a vil- 

 lage mason, stands at the west end of the nave. The pews 

 in the body of the church are decorated with fruials ; and 

 some of them, of carved oak, have been lately presented to 

 the parish by Lord Crewe's trustees. All the pews are nearly 

 of the same dimension, and of an uniform shape, with the 

 exception of one, which has been left in its original condi- 

 tion, like a large square box, out of consideration for the 

 feelings of an aged lady, who objects to its being altered. 

 The pulpit and reading desk are also exceptions to the 

 better taste which prevails in other parts of the church ; but 

 it is hoped that these anomalies will be corrected, and that 

 funds will be found to put every thing in keeping with the 

 general aspect of this venerable edifice. 



The seats in the chancel are of carved oak ; the rails be- 

 fore the communion table are the same, and correspond in 

 configuration with the columns, arches, and mouldings of the 

 nave. The space within the rails is handsomely carpeted, 

 and two richly carved chairs of dark oak, with a folio bible 

 on a bracket, above the communion table, constitute the 

 decoration of the chancel, which now wants nothing but a 

 new east window to make it complete. Solemnity is the 

 character of Norham church, and the restoration of the north 

 aisle will give it altogether a cathedral appearance. It is 

 spacious, dry, and clean ; well ventilated in summer, and well 

 warmed in winter, and in the midst of much that is orna- 

 mental, there is nothing fantastical to offend the eye or to 



