42 
us while inspecting the ruins, says this front is the finest 
specimen in the kingdom. He specially directed my attention 
to the central lozenge-shaped ornament over the doorway, 
because antiquarians are of opinion that it contains either the 
remains of a fresco of the Virgin and Child, or the marks of a 
statue of the Virgin and Child. Mr. Pickles, one of our ablest 
Burnley amateur photographers, has taken a successful picture of 
this part of the old front, and his photograph gives the marks 
on the stone much clearer than they can be seen by the eye. 
From this picture it is very evident that the impression on the 
stone is caused by the statue shielding that part which was 
behind it, and thus preventing the gradual change of colour 
which the rest of the stone has undergone. The statue was 
torn down at the Reformation. 
On entering the building we find ourselves in the nave of the 
Abbey Church which, thanks to the Duke of Devonshire, has 
been restored as carefully as possible. His Grace adorned it with 
six lancet windows filled with richly-stained glass. Several 
thousands of pounds have been spent in making this part of the 
building as perfect as possible. ‘loo much praise can scarcely 
be given to the Devonshire family for the great care they have 
bestowed upon Bolton Abbey. Every stone that could possibly 
be replaced has been hunted up and restored. The highest 
architectural skill has been employed to make the restoration as 
genuine as possible and the beautiful surroundings of the Abbey 
have been made as perfect and picturesque as possible. May we 
not apply to them the words of Sydney Jendys, when he describes 
the restorers of old Rome. 
Like some village children 
Who found a dead king on a battlefield 
And with decorous care and reyerend pity 
Composed the lordly ruins and sat down 
Grave, without tears. 
'The interior of this part of the Abbey Church is well worthy 
of a most careful examination. The six south windows are filled 
with stained glass, from designs by Pugin representing in thirty 
six groups the history of our Saviour. The western window has 
stained glass representing the stoning of Stephen and the 
martyrdom of Polycarp and Ignatius. Another window repre- 
sents St. Cuthbert. On the south wall is a picture from Chats- 
worth representing “Our Saviour Bearing the Cross.” There 
are also many remains of the old stained glass which are 
exceedingly valuable. 
The crowned heads of ancient kings and the remains of 
heraldic devices show that at one time the nave of the Abbey 
Church was more richly adorned than it is even at present. Dr. 
