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Bristol to redeem their error of thoughtlessly allowing the older 

 structure to be alienated from them. 



The Cross is, in fact, a part restoration of the original design. It 

 was erected after the plans of John Norton, Esq. at a cost of £450, 

 A. D. 1851. As, however, it differs from the former in some essential 

 particulars, we cannot do better than quote the architect's description 

 of it. " While," he says, " the old Cross exhibits throughout marks 

 of debased and discordant additions, in the new one an attempt has 

 been made, not only to preserve the beautiful outline, but to 

 embody one uniformly harmonious feeling throughout, being that of 

 the period of its earliest foundation. For example : — Above the 

 sitting figures, in the Old Cross, is a tier or frieze of boys bearing 

 shields, of the taste of Charles's reign. This looks crowded and 

 excrescence-like, and by its "bustle" mars the grace of the outline ; 

 and, therefore, this feature has been discarded, and the pyramidal 

 lines made at once to spring from the upper canopies. 



*' The modern Cross is divided into four separate stages. The 

 lower, composed of the open groined space, is square in plan, the 

 groining ribs dying on to a central octagonal column, which they connect 

 with the four angular buttresses, and also immediately support 

 the lower pedestals, through whose mullioned spaces the play of light 

 produces a good effect : a kind of rough groining shaft attaches the 

 open work to the central construction. 



" The second tier is composed of the niches and projecting canopies, 

 under which four life-size figures may stand. 



" The third tier has the same features for four sitting figures, and 

 the fourth is the pyramidal covering or spire, completing the outline 

 suggested by the buttresses. As a piece of mediaeval construction it 

 affords a valuable lesson, worthy of careful study. The mode by 

 which the enormous weight of the canopies, &c. is conveyed laterally 

 on to the ground, by means of flying buttresses, attaching the under to 

 the inner vertical buttresses, cannot be too much admired. Surely 

 here the great canon of architectural construction has been well 

 attended to, namely, that of ornamenting construction — for it is by these 

 buttresses that the beautiful outline is produced." 



Chaste and elegant as this building undoubtedly is, developing in 

 its fine proportions an architectural beauty, which was in vain to be 

 sought for in the spurious taste with which successive ages adorned the 

 former edifice, it is nevertheless to be regretted that the High Cross, so 

 rich in its evidences of antiquity, and consecrated by so many vene- 

 rated associations, should have passed into other hands. To the 

 citizens of Bristol it was a heritage handed down to them, as we have 



