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dictine Monastery of the North of England surviving as a 
parochial Church. Sir Gilbert Scott, R.A., who restored the 
Abbey, said, in his report (1871): ‘‘ The Abbey Church of Selby 
in some respects stands alone among the magnificent monastic 
remains of Yorkshire. It may not perhaps be the most splendid 
of all those noble fabrics, though it ranks amongst the first 
of them, nor can it boast those accidental and picturesque 
charms with which nature has clothed the ruined Abbeys, as if 
to throw a veil over their desolation ; but it possesses the far 
higher, though less picturesque, advantage of not being a ruin, 
of retaining with one trifling exception, its entire dimensions, 
and of being still, as ever, dedicated to the honour and worship 
of God.” The chief results of the work of restoration were 
pointed out, the realization of these being assisted by viewing 
a series of photographs shewing the Church previous to the 
undertaking. The Norman, Transitional, Karly English, and Geo- 
metrical styles of architecture, are all characteristically illustrated. 
The length of the entire Church is 298 feet, the width being 59 
feet. There are two richly ornamented doorways which present 
splendid specimens of the latest and richest Norman. The oldest 
portion of the Church is the North Transept. The external view 
of the choir is wonderfully fine; the eastern facade being a noble 
and magnificent composition. The great east window is one of 
the grandest in the kingdom. Entering by the western door 
the fine nave and the extreme length of the Church present a 
view which is singularly striking. There is not space to notice 
the salient features of the building; the interesting character 
of the Triforium and Clerestory; the monuments and quaint 
inscriptions ; the elaborately decorated choir, &e. It was with 
regret that the party could not prolong their examination of a 
Church possessing such a combination of attractions to the 
antiquarian and archeologist. 
On returning to York, the visitors passed through the finest 
of the gateways by which the ramparts are pierced—Micklegate 
Bar. It was on this gate that the heads of traitors were formerly 
exposed. 
The purpose of the party was now to visit the chief glory of 
the imperial city—the Minster. On the way thither were passed 
some of the many venerable churches which the city encloses, 
and many of which enshrine precious memorials of past ages. 
There was also noticed the quaint picturesqueness of some of the 
streets, with their half-timbered houses and projecting gables. 
On approaching the Minster from Duncombe Street the view is 
supremely impressive. The dignity and massive grandeur of the 
edifice at once arrest the attention of the visitor, and this special 
feature is ever present whether the Cathedral be viewed from the 
exterior or interior. The West Front which is the portion first 
