64 Transactions. 



been the termination of the Nave Arcade. 2ud, The 

 Chancel as it stands is a totally independent building ; and 

 3rd, In the event of a Nave having existed and a congrega- 

 tion assembled, not one-twentieth of those present could see 

 anything in the interior of the Chancel. 4th, No necessity 

 for the existence of a Nave under the foundation. 



Regarding the first of these reasons, little need be said. 

 The terminating pier of the Arcade abuts against the east 

 wall of the Transept, and stands about lift, out from the 

 line of that of the Nave. On the side next the Transept 

 there may still be seen in good preservation groining corbel, 

 shaft, and the lower courses of the ribs, while on the north 

 side there is a total absence of such featxires. The second 

 reason is perhaps a still stronger one, an open Chancel arch 

 being of invariable occurrence, and if my theory of the non- 

 existence of the Nave proper be not accepted, it would be 

 difficult, nay impossible, to account for the existence of the 

 west wall, which encloses and renders the Chancel a totally 

 independent building. The third reason will commend itself 

 to every one who has visited the actual building ; and with 

 regard to the fourth it is only necessary to mention that 

 Collegiate Churches were institutions founded solely to 

 enable the patrons to get Masses said for the souls of their 

 deceased friends, and were not for the accommodation of 

 congregations. 



The Churcli, so far as it was finished, was undoubtedly 

 the richest work of architecture ever erected in the district ; 

 for lofty solemn grandeur it may not have been able to com- 

 pete with Sweetheart, but for pure, yet lavish decoration, 

 there must have been few buildings in the S(juth of Scotland 

 worthy of comparison. The Cliancel, as may be supposed, 

 was the most elaborate portion of the building, containing 

 as it did, the magnificent features of the Tomb, the Sedilia, 

 the Piscina, and the Altar, not to speak of the doorway to 

 the Sacristy, which, though of less moment, is still worthy 

 of a place beside the others. The west, or entrance front, 

 is, as mentioned before, a most peculiar feature, and exhibits 



